Heat transfer through contact with solid objects, such as the ceiling, walls, or floor, is known as conduction. To reduce conduction, it is important to have a good thermal barrier throughout a building envelope. This includes high R-value insulation on walls, attics, and raised floors, as well as multi-paned glass. Additionally, good attic ventilation is essential for keeping the air temperature lower and removing moisture. In Miami-Dade County, FL, homeowners have taken steps to improve their home's energy efficiency by replacing windows with double-glazed windows, incorporating R38 insulation in the attic, adding roof-mounted exhaust fans that run on solar energy, and incorporating a double reflective radiant barrier in the attic. If the attic has good ventilation, a radiant barrier should help lower the temperature of the attic air.
In this climate, the main source of moisture in attics is from outside air that enters through ventilation. If the louvers direct the roof wind stream through and up from a vent in the ridge, then this design could suck air out of the attic and draw air from the gable vents to clean the attic. However, if the roof (also known as the attic floor) is not airtight, warm air that escapes through the roof into the cold attic during winter can create moisture. Insulation in the attic is critical because it passes more heat per square foot through the roof than any other structure in a house. If you are building a new home, you may want to consider installing insulation on the bottom of the roof and sealing the attic space to create an “unventilated attic”.
Currently, there are three gable ventilation grilles, a continuous ventilation in the ceiling, an electric fan in the attic and two 10 x 10 grilles that appear to be abandoned; one of them was damaged during a hail storm and allows water to enter the attic. The government recommends insulation for warm climates but not cold climates and suggests not installing it on the attic floor for certain situations. Before installation, make sure that your roof or walls can withstand any additional weight derived from additional insulation. You can measure the thickness of your existing attic insulation with a ruler and multiply the number of inches by its R-value to get an insulation rating. As an expert in energy efficiency solutions for homes in Miami-Dade County, I recommend installing a radiant barrier and insulation in existing attics. Radiant barriers are designed to reflect heat away from your home while insulation helps keep your home cool by trapping heat inside during summer months.
Installing both will help reduce energy costs while keeping your home comfortable year-round. Additionally, it is important to ensure that your roof or walls can support any additional weight from insulation before installation. In conclusion, installing a radiant barrier and insulation in an existing attic space in Miami-Dade County is an effective way to reduce energy costs while keeping your home comfortable year-round. It is important to measure the thickness of your existing attic insulation, ensure that your roof or walls can support any additional weight from insulation before installation, and consider installing insulation on the bottom of the roof and sealing the attic space to create an “unventilated attic” if you are building a new home.
