Introducing Ag-Barrier® Radiant Barrier
Ag-Barrier® radiant barrier is a woven 8mm thick film with aluminum radiant barrier on one side and white polypropylene on the other. Ag-Barrier® radiant barrier has added UV and corrosion protection which helps manage the harsh environments found in agricultural barns. Ag-Barrier® radiant barrier comes in solid and perforated versions.
How Ag-Barrier® Radiant Barrier Improves Barn Performance
Heat moves three different ways: conductivity, convection and radiant. Poultry, hog or dairy barns typically use insulation with an R-Value. R-value simply signifies the amount of time it takes heat to enter or leave a structure. Metal pole barns are highly conductive and radiate heat quite efficiently. 93% of metal building heat gain in the summer is from solar radiation. In winter months, up to 75% of heat loss is through radiation. Traditional R-Value rated insulation alone is not effective in managing the “radiant heat.” Ag-Barrier® radiant barrier reflects 95% of the radiant heat back to its source.
Ag Barrier® Radiant Barrier in New Construction
Ag-Barrier® radiant barrier blocks 95% of radiant heat from entering the confinement area. In confinement houses where bubble foil insulation is already being used, Ag-Barrier radiant barrier is less expensive, saving farmers as much as 50% in the cost of insulation. According to the Department of Energy, the energy cost savings can be as much as 50%.
Ag Barrier® Radiant Barrier and Retrofits
Most farms have fiberglass insulation in the roof, walls or ceiling. Over time, fiberglass compacts and loses much of its efficiency. Ag Barrier® radiant barrier, when used as a poultry curtain or ceiling and wall wrap, increases the efficiency of a building’s existing insulation by as much as 50%.
Other Problems Solved Applying Ag-Barrier® Radiant Barrier
Traditional insulation loses its effectiveness over time. Ag-Barrier® radiant barrier extends the life of existing insulation. Rodents and pests cannot penetrate the product and condensation rarely becomes an issue. During a power outage, Ag Barrier® radiant barrier reflects heat coming into the building and keeps the building cool longer until the fans become operational.
The Black-Globe Effect
A little-known natural phenomenon called the “black-globe effect” has a pronounced stress factor relating to the cost efficiency (or inefficiency) of weight gain in meat-producing animals and birds. Whether an animal is outdoors or indoors, in temperatures exceeding 78° F, it absorbs a tremendous increase in radiant energy from the sun. Although the animal may be confined to a building, the “black-globe effect” on the animal is the same as if it were 10 to 20° F higher than the air temperature. Studies show that with the elimination of the “black-globe effect” through the use of reflective metalized film insulation, many improvements are immediately apparent. In the dairy industry, an increase of as much as 10% in milk production has been noted. Also noted; a conception rate improvement of nearly 24%. Broiler house feed conversions went from averages of 2.3 to 2.8 lbs. of feed per lb. of bird to a much improved 1.99 feed conversion.