via DoItYourself.com
What is an Interior Radiation Control Coating?
Radiation heat gain is frequently neglected in building construction. Many ignore the subtle yet profound impact it can have on an entire building envelope system.
What Is Radiation Heat Gain?
A building in direct sunlight will absorb electromagnetic particles, converting them into heat. This heat mass will then try to dissipate (2nd law of thermo dynamics) to reach equilibrium with the surrounding environment again. Some is lost to convective breezes and some is re-radiated from the roof or sidewall away from the structure. The rest is absorbed into the assembly (the amount varies, depending on substrate and color) until it penetrates the interior of the building.
What Are Interior Radiation Control Coatings?
It’s this radiant heat that causes discomfort for occupants and A/C systems to labor. Many methods are used to help control interior temperatures: higher SEER HVAC, increased R-value, and creative ventilation. But there is a technology available that addresses the heat at the source: interior radiation control coatings (IRCCs). Employing IRCCs will make the space more comfortable and increase the operational efficiencies of the insulation, ventilation, and HVAC & ductwork packages that now operate in cooler temperatures.
