I went to a home show and a company called (XXXX) claimed that by applying their product to the interior of my existing attic, I can save 30% on my gas heating bill. They are charging $4,000.00 to do this installation. My house is a colonial, about 1,400 square feet. Does this sound right?
Answer:
I’m sorry to have to tell you this is a gross exaggeration. They will not be able to support this claim with any accepted testing. It is true that adding a radiant barrier to your attic can help reduce your energy costs and provide added comfort, especially in the summer. I can’t tell you what your savings would be without knowing more about your attic, but if you already have 6″ or more of mass insulation like fiberglass, then your savings over the year might get as high as 10%, but don’t count on it. ROI at the price quoted wouldn’t happen.
If you would like to add a radiant barrier to your attic, contact any of the RIMA-I members who have their product RIMA-I Verified – that way you’ll know you are getting a quality product. Cost should be around 20 cents per square foot including shipping. You can either install it yourself or find a local handy man.