ledlurker
Enlightened
I have recently started some upgrades to save on heating/cooling cost. Has anybody here put any radiant barriers up in their attic??? My house was built before radiat barrier technology was easily available. I cringed when I did a rough estimate on replacing the roof and roof decking or purchasing the long rolls of foil that would be stapled to the rafters. I found a radiant barrier paint by Shermin Willliams that claims it can stop up to 68% of the radiant heat from coming through your roof. The paint can be applied by a sprayer with a large tip that will allow the metalic particles to pass through. I can have the whole job done by a contractor for $1000 to $1200. Replacing the roof and decking would cost about$14,000 but can stop more radiant heat.
Has anybody used radiant barrier paint? If so have you noticed a temp drop in your attic?
My attic fans have died and I have ordered some solar powered ones. The panels are built into the domes but are adjustable for maximum sun exposure? I figure they will pay for themselves in 2 years. My neighbor has offered to build some high efficiency AC to DC converters and switching controls to still help out after the sun goes down and the temp is still high. the house has a mixed bag of passive and active ventilation.
The last idea is to replace my two gas water heaters with either 2 tankless gas water heaters or go with only one tankless with a capacity of 8+ gal/min with a 40 to 50 degree rise from inlet water temp. I read a white paper that does a trade off study between gas water heater and both types of tankless water heaters. The electric tankless is out because of the power requirements. The traditional gas water heater still wins out if you have 4 or more people using it. If you have 2 or less people then the tankless wins. I have researched solar but my deed restrictions prevent installations that can be seen from the street ( the direction by south facing roof faces). I am leaning more towards the tankless just because I hate the idea of having water heater in the attic. The tankless can easily be installed on a outer wall or in a walk in closet with appropriate vents to supply fresh air and take away the exhaust gases.
Again does anybody have a tankless system? Do you wish you installed a bigger one sometimes. I am thinking of getting two 7.4 gallon/minute ones. With a 45 degree rise I can still deliver just under 5 gallons/minute with each one
Has anybody used radiant barrier paint? If so have you noticed a temp drop in your attic?
My attic fans have died and I have ordered some solar powered ones. The panels are built into the domes but are adjustable for maximum sun exposure? I figure they will pay for themselves in 2 years. My neighbor has offered to build some high efficiency AC to DC converters and switching controls to still help out after the sun goes down and the temp is still high. the house has a mixed bag of passive and active ventilation.
The last idea is to replace my two gas water heaters with either 2 tankless gas water heaters or go with only one tankless with a capacity of 8+ gal/min with a 40 to 50 degree rise from inlet water temp. I read a white paper that does a trade off study between gas water heater and both types of tankless water heaters. The electric tankless is out because of the power requirements. The traditional gas water heater still wins out if you have 4 or more people using it. If you have 2 or less people then the tankless wins. I have researched solar but my deed restrictions prevent installations that can be seen from the street ( the direction by south facing roof faces). I am leaning more towards the tankless just because I hate the idea of having water heater in the attic. The tankless can easily be installed on a outer wall or in a walk in closet with appropriate vents to supply fresh air and take away the exhaust gases.
Again does anybody have a tankless system? Do you wish you installed a bigger one sometimes. I am thinking of getting two 7.4 gallon/minute ones. With a 45 degree rise I can still deliver just under 5 gallons/minute with each one