Radiant Barriers Reading List

The following articles, books, and reports provide information on radiant barriers. To find the publications listed, contact the source or publisher as indicated, your local public library, or a bookstore. Libraries may be able to obtain books and reports through their interlibrary loan system, and bookstores may be able to order books for you. This list does not cover all available information on this subject, nor is the mention of any publication, product, service, or organization to be considered a recommendation or endorsement. This list was revised in March 2001.

Pamphlets

The following are available from the FSEC (see Source List below) for free.

Designing and Installing Radiant Barrier Systems, P. Fairey, FSEC, 1984. 4 pp., Order No. FSEC-DN-7-84.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer, I. Melody, FSEC, 1987. 8 pp., Order No. FSEC-EN-15-87. This is FSEC's in-depth Fact Sheet on radiant barriers.

Radiant Energy Transfer and Radiant Barrier Systems in Buildings, P. Fairey, FSEC, 1986. 4 pp., Order No. FSEC-DN-6-86.

Papers from Proceedings

"Analysis of Annual Energy Savings Due to Radiant Barriers," K. Wilkes, ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Volume 1, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Pacific Grove, CA, August 26, 1990, pp. 1.235-46. Available from ACEEE, Publications Office, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20036; Phone: (202) 429-8873; Fax (202) 429-0193; World Wide Web: www.aceee.org. $10.00 (reprint), $20.00 (per volume). Also available from NTIS (see Source List below). $28.50, NTIS Order No. DE90016524/XAB.

"Analysis of Attic Radiant Barrier Systems Using Mathematical Models," P. Fairey and M. Swami, Fifth Annual Symposium on Improving Building Energy Efficiency in Hot and Humid Climates, Texas A & M University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Houston, TX, September 13, 1988.

"Effects of Infrared Radiation on the Effective Thermal Resistance of Building Envelopes," P. Fairey, Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings II, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Existing Buildings Division, Las Vegas, NV, December 5-9, 1982. Available from FSEC (see Source List below). 22 pp., Free, Order No. FSEC-PF-37-83.

"An Experimental Test of the Impact of a Radiant Barrier on Energy Savings in a Residence," K. Harmon, Strategies for Reducing Natural Gas, Electric and Oil Costs, in proceedings of the World Energy Engineering Congress, Atlanta, GA, October 24-28, 1989, pp. 187-204. Available from the Fairmont Press, 700 Indian Trail, Lilburn, GA 30047; Phone: (770) 925-9388; Fax: (770) 381-9865; World Wide Web: www.fairmontpress.com . 632 pp., $75.00 plus $6.50 S&H, Order No. 0-88173-094-7.

"Measured Effects of Dust on the Performance of Radiant Barriers Installed on Top of Attic Insulation," W. Levins and J. Hall, Annual Meeting of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air- Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Part 2, Volume 96, St. Louis, MO, June 9-13, 1990, pp. 253-60. Available from ASHRAE, 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2305; Phone: (404) 636-8400; World Wide Web: www.ashrare.org . $19.00 (reprint). Also available from NTIS (see Source List below). $28.50, NTIS Order No. DE90008911/XAB.

"The Measured, Side-by-Side Performance of Attic Radiant Barrier Systems in Hot-Humid Climates," P. Fairey and M. Swami, Nineteenth International Thermal Conductivity Conference, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (O RNL), Cookville, TN, October 1985. Available from the FSEC (see Source List below). Free, Order No. FSEC-PF-111-86.

"Modeling of Residential Attics with Radiant Barriers," K. Wilkes, Annual Symposium on Improving Building Energy Efficiency in Hot and Humid Climates, Texas A & M University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Houston, TX, September 13, 1988. Available from NTIS (see Source List below). $15.00, NTIS Order No. DE88012496/XAB.

"Seasonal Prediction of Roof-Mounted Attic Radiant Barrier System Performance from Measured Test Data," P. Fairey, ACEEE 1990 Summer Study, ACEEE, Pacific Grove, CA, August 26, 1990. Available from the FSEC (see Source List below). Free, Order No. FSEC-PF-237-90.

"Thermal Modeling of Residential Attics with Radiant Barriers: Comparison with Laboratory and Field Data," K. Wilkes, Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings, ORNL, Existing Buildings Center, Orlando, FL, December 4-7, 1989. Available from NTIS (see Source List below). $28.50, NTIS Order No. DE89016287/XAB.

Reports

Unless otherwise indicated all reports are available from NTIS (see Source List below).

The Oklahoma Field Test: Air-Conditioning Electricity Savings from Standard Energy Conservation Measures, Radiant Barriers, and High-Efficiency Window Air Conditioners, M. Ternes and W. Levins, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Building Envelope Research Center, August 1992. 120 pp., $36.50, NTIS Order No. DE93003668.

Cooling Season Energy Measurements of Dust and Ventilation Effects on Radiant Barriers, W. Levins, M. Karnitz, and J. Hall, ORNL, Building Envelope Research Center, March 1990. 75 pp., $31.50, NTIS Order No. DE90012008/XAB.

Energy Measurements of Attic Radiant Barriers Installed in Single-Family Houses, W. Levins and M. Karnitz, ORNL, Building Envelope Research Center, July 1988. 11 pp., $28.50, NTIS Order No. DE88015303/XAB.

Heating Energy Measurements of Unoccupied Single-Family Houses with Attics Containing Radiant Barriers, W. Levins and M. Karnitz, ORNL, Building Envelope Research Center, January 1987. 80 pp., $34.00, NTIS Order No. DE87007803/XAB.

Moisture Measurements in Single-Family Houses with Attics Containing Radiant Barriers, W. Levins, M Karnitz, and J. Hall, ORNL, Building Envelope Research Center, February 1989. 115 pp., $36.50, NTIS Order No. DE89008972/XAB.

Radiant Barriers, Air Barriers, and Vapor Barriers, Cutter Information Corporation, 2000. Available from Cutter Information Corp. (See Source List below). 114 pp., $60.00. Contains EDU articles below.

Radiant Barriers: Principles, Practice, and Products, J. Nisson, Cutter Information Corp., 1990. Available from Cutter Information Corp. (see Source List below). 140 pp., $29.00. Contains EDUarticles below.

Articles

"Another Radiant Barrier Sheathing," J. Nisson, Energy Design Update, (14:12) p. 12, December 1994.

"Barriers to Radiant Barriers," C. Henke, Home Energy, (6:6) p. 22-26, November/December 1989.

"Do Radiant Barriers Save Energy?" S. Andrews, Journal of Light Construction, (11:1) p. 35, October 1992.

"Dust and Radiant BarriersˇŞBad News," Energy Design Update, (8:6) pp. 6-7, June 1989.

"Effect of Attic Ventilation on the Performance of Radiant Barriers," M. Medina and D. O'Neal, Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, (114:4) pp. 234-39, November 1992.

"Effectiveness of Foil-Faced Roof Sheathing for Reducing Cooling Load," J. Nisson, Energy Design Update, (16:10) pp. 7-8, October 1996.

"Energy Savings from Radiant Barrier Sheathing," J. Nisson, Energy Design Update, (16:7) pp. 6-7, July 1996.

"ˇ®Fantasy Rerun of the Month'ˇŞMicroscopic Vacuum Insulation Coating," Energy Design Update, (17:1) pp. 14-15, January 1997.

"Foil-Faced Roof DeckingˇŞThe ˇ®Builder's Radiant Barrier,'" J. Nisson, Energy Design Update, (14:9) pp. 9-11, September 1994.

"Moisture and Radiant BarriersˇŞGood News?" J. Nisson, Energy Design Update, (8:6) pp. 7-8, June 1989.

"Radiant Barrier Roof Shingles," J. Nisson, Energy Design Update, (15:5) pp. 10-11, May 1995.

"Radiant Barrier Scams," Popular Science, (234:6) p. 29, June 1989.

"Radiant Barrier Study: Cooling Costs Cut," Journal of Light Construction, (14:12) pp. 7, 10, September 1996.

"Radiant Barrier Update," D. Conover, Home Energy, (9:4) pp. 7-9, July/August 1992.

"Radiant Barriers," J. Kesselring, EPRI Journal, (16:6) pp. 36-9, September 1991.

"Radiant Barriers: Performance Revealed," M. Medina, Home Energy, (17:5) pp. 30-33, Sept/Oct 2000.

"Radiant Barriers Shine," Popular Science, (234:6) p. 29, June 1989.

"Radiant Barriers: No Cure for an Attic Full of Hot Air," Consumer Reports, (55:3) p. 142, March 1990.

"Radiant Barriers: Will They Save You Money?" Consumers' Research Magazine, (No. 73) pp. 18-20, May 1990.

"Straight Talk About Radiant Barriers," C. Henke, Home Energy, (6:3) pp. 17-21, May/June 1989.

"Technics: Under Steep Roofing," Progressive Architecture, (72:5) p. 54, May 1991.

"Where Radiant Barriers Really Shine," R. Engel, , Home Energy, (13:4) p. 7, July/August 1996.

Source List

Cutter Information Corporation

37 Broadway, Suite 1

Arlington, MA 02474-5552

Phone: (800) 964-5118 or (781) 648-8700

Fax: (800) 888-1816 or (781) 648-1950

Email: info@cutter.com

World Wide Web: www.cutter.com

Cutter publishes Energy Design Update.

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)

Public Information Office

1679 Clearlake Road

Cocoa, FL 32922-5703

Phone: 407) 638-1000; Fax: (407) 638-1010

Email: info@fsec.ucf.edu

World Wide Web: www.fsec.ucf.edu

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

Phone: (800) 553-6847 or (703) 605-6000

Fax: (703) 605-6900

Email: info@ntis.fedworld.gov

World Wide Web: www.ntis.gov

When ordering from NTIS, there may be additional fees for shipping and handling. Check the price and availability before placing an order.

This brief was updated in March 2001.

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