Here’s a good repost about Radiant Barriers from Gary N. Smith, the Green Building Inspector in Central Mississippi!

 

Before the days of gun powder and lead the mighty shield was used for protection from unwanted elementsduring battle.

In our struggle to save energy consider using one of the most protective and cost effective “shields” developed. The Radiant Barrier.

It’s a foil backed product that’s placed in the attic of your home, foil side down, to help protect you from the sun’s radiating heat that drives your energy use up and the size of your pocket book down. A radiant barrier:

• is placed foil side down in your attic (opposite of the way you think a shield should face!)
• will lower the cost of your cooling dollars by 40%
• will not effect your roof warranty (when installed as roof sheathing)
• can be installed directly onto your attic insulation
• lowers the negative effects of high heat on stored articles in your attic
• can be installed by you, the homeowner, with little or no experience (however, always take special care when working in the attic)

Coupled with caulking and sealing your home’s air leaks the radiant barrier has immediate payback.

For more information on energy savings and home inspections call Gary Smith toll free at 877.809.6139 or visit him on the web: http://www.garynsmith.net

Serving Central Mississippi Since 1974 – 1-877-809-6139 Toll Free

 

It’s that time of year again…you know, the time when we drag out all the boxes of holiday decorations and lights and go about that annual process of filling our homes and yards with an abundance (sometimes overabundance) of holiday cheer.  Invariably as you pull out the strings of lights and plug them in, you find that there are always quite a few not working.  I’ll be honest, I’ve tried locating which ones were out so that I can salvage the string, but the string always wins that battle.  Each year, it’s a trip down to whatever is the closest store to pick up another string or two.  Now however, I’ve finally come to the realization that perhaps there is a better way.   Read More