TITLE:
Hybrid and Reflective Insulation Assemblies for Buildings
AUTHORS:
David W. Yarbrough, Khar San Teh, Lim Chin Haw, Elias Salleh, Sohif Mat, M. Yusof Sulaiman
KEYWORDS:
Reflective Insulation, Radiant Barrier, Hybrid Insulation, Emittance, Emissivity, Aluminum Foil, Metallic Films, Attic Insulation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Power and Energy Engineering,
Vol.4 No.7,
July
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: Materials with a
low thermal emittance surface have been used for many years to create
reflective insulations that reduce the rate of heat flow across building
envelopes. Reflective insulation technology is now being combined with other
energy conserving technologies to optimize overall thermal performance. The
basis for the performance of reflective insulations and radiant barriers will
be discussed along with the combination of these materials with cellular
plastic or mineral fiber insulations to form hybrid insulation assemblies.
Calculations of thermal resistance for enclosed reflective air spaces and
current field data from Southeast Asia will be presented. These data show that
reductions in heat transfer across the building enclosure can be effectively
reduced by the use of enclosed reflective air spaces and attic radiant
barriers. Reflective technology increases the overall thermal resistance of the
building enclosure when used to insulate poured concrete structures.