Full Description

The effect of dust accumulation on horizontal radiant barriers (HRB) was studied by a national laboratory in three research houses near Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Tests on dusted HRBs showed that a lighter loading (0.34 cm/cm^2) increased total house cooling load compared to a clean HRB by 2.3% and a heavier dusting loading (0.74 mg/cm^2) increased house cooling load by 8.4% compared to a clean HRB. However, horizontal radiant barriers with these dust loadings still decreased house cooling loads by 7% compared to the same house with no radiant barrier.

Key words: building envelope, insulation, residential building.

Citation: ASHRAE Transactions, vol. 96, pt. 2, St. Louis 1990