Low-E Insulation

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Author Message John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 557 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 - 01:19 pm:    I am on the verge of being directed to specify "low-e insulation" for a large public school project for an extremely large school district. Environmentally Safe Products, Inc., ESP Low-E® Insulation: http://www.low-e.com/ "Home Page, This is where to start to find the perfect insulation products for your home or building." "ESP Low-E® Insulation products are designed for maximum energy and cost efficiency. Whether it’s under slab, under roof, around duct work or wrapping the entire house, ESP Low-E® Reflective Insulation saves more money on heating and cooling than regular insulation and housewrap." I could not find any technical information, such as compliance with ASTM standards or an ICC Evaluation Service Evaluation Report, nor could I find information on specific R-values of the products. Has anyone had experience with this manufacturer and its products? Can someone explain to me how aluminum facing on batt insulation works under a concrete slab on grade to enhance the R-value? How does a product installed under exterior wall veneer or in a shaded attic, where direct exposure to sunlight doesn't happen, achieve "low emissivity" status as does low-E glass? ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 283 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 - 01:27 pm:    I love it. This one raises its head periodically. The way I've heard it, most recently from foil-faced polyiso manufacturers, is that placing an air space next to a 'reflective insulation' can yield over an R-2. The reflective insulation must be kept clean, no tears, etc. It can't get dust on it over time; someone needs to wipe it down. The best use I've seen so far for this type of product has been beet farmers who buy new sheet every year and drape the foil over the sheet. Apparently it prevent spoilage for a prolonged period. The product of choice with that had a double layer of bubble-wrap on the back of the reinforced foil. My guess is that most of the R-value came from the bubble-wrap. According to my old 'dewpoint' calculator, an air film on the outside of my wall had a small R-value too. Got that for free with no installation cost. Alan Mays, AIA Senior Member Username: amays Post Number: 96 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 - 01:32 pm:    John, I found some ICC-ES reports in the download page of their website. At the bottom, they have a link to their housewrap testing. They have some of the stuff in there. J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 461 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 - 07:13 pm:    I think "low e" is the new snake oil. Low-e products do not reflect anything (but many low-e products are reflective). They emit less or radiate less) heat energy than higher emmisivity surfaces. The low-e material is usually a good energy conductor so that it may effectively conduct heat. This is why low-e materials need an air space. A low-e material placed between two other materials will not be effective. The low-e surface should face the cooler space since that is the space you are trying to keep the energy out of. I don't doubt that they need to be kept clean, it seems logical that the low emisitivity property might be compromised by a collection of other surface materials. In a insulated glazing unit, the low-e material is hermetically sealed within the unit, so one doesn't have to worry about surface contamination. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1411 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, June 18, 2012 - 12:07 pm:    In my homework a few years ago, I decided that reflective "insulations" would not perform to the extent our projects required. I don't see how any reflective product would work without an air space next to it so the "reflecting" can work. Also, the building code requires insulation to meet R-values calculated to meet ASTM requirements, and the product I was investigating could not provide that documentation. I don't know how much insulation your project requires, but I would be skeptical of achieving it this way. Does anyone know if this is the type of product that had a consumer protection action by the FTC for misleading labeling or advertising? I seem to remember something like that, but can't recall the details. Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 509 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 04:18 pm:    John R., Look at it this way. At least you're not being told to spec Miracle Ceramic Insulating Liquid [Siding] [Roof Coating] In-A-Can. At least not this week. Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: don_harris Post Number: 266 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 05:01 pm:    I just went to the web site. I would run as fast as I could away from this stuff. First, they say it passes the ASTM 286 test. The IBC wants the NFPA 286 test, for interior assemblies. There is no mention that I can find that they pass the NFPA 285, exterior test. Just the fact that they say they pass the ASTM 286 test and when you click on the link the documentation is for NFPA 286 would disqualify them, in my mind. In addition, with the exception of one metal building photo, everything on the site is residential. Why would the school system even consider this stuff?