Maximizing Energy Efficiency with a LO/MIT Spray on Radiant Barrier
On average, American families spend $2,000 annually on energy costs. Over 50% of their monthly electric bills go to heating and cooling. To lower costs, many households invest in energy-efficient solutions. The right combination of products can minimize energy waste while keeping homes comfortable.
One product that’s beneficial to homeowners is a radiant barrier. Because it’s constructed of reflective materials, a radiant barrier doesn’t absorb sunlight or heat and doesn’t need insulation to work. Instead, it returns the warmth to its source, minimizing heat transfer. A radiant barrier is particularly useful in homes with attics since it prevents heat from building up in a confined area.
Older radiant barriers combine reflective materials (such as radiant barrier foil) with insulation or cardboard. They usually require a professional installation. However, newer products like LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier insulation offer a highly effective and advanced solution—no contractor required!
Understanding LO/MIT Spray-on Radiant Barriers
LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier coating performs the same job as their traditional counterparts, like a radiant barrier foil. They both reduce heat buildup by acting as a reflector, directing light and heat away from the protected area. The difference lies in their materials. While older radiant barrier systems rely on aluminum foil and reflective insulation, a LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier is paint-based. As a result, the coating is easy to apply without a professional’s help.
LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier paint doesn’t require any thermal insulation or special materials. Homeowners apply the coating directly to the underside of their attic roof using an airless paint sprayer. The radiant heat barrier paint starts working immediately, cooling the area and lowering energy costs by 15% or more.
Features and Benefits of LO/MIT Technology
LO/MIT solutions stand above other radiant barriers for several reasons.
- Affordability: Low-cost solution that effectively reduces attic heat.
- Easy Installation: Takes less than a day to apply without any professional help.
- Safe: Class A fire-rated and meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard #C1321 for Interior Radiation Control Coating Systems (IRCCS).
- Damage-Proof: Resistant to mold, moisture, and pests, and doesn’t void roof shingle warranties.
- Energy Savings: Significantly reduces home cooling bills.
How LO/MIT Spray Improves Energy Efficiency
A home’s roof takes a tremendous beating from outside elements, including sun, wind, and moisture. Left to its own devices, air from the outdoors will travel through roof shingles into the interior attic space. Depending on the weather, the result is an overly hot or cool attic, which has a trickle-down effect on the other rooms of your home.
To accommodate these temperature shifts, your HVAC system goes into overdrive to bring the overall home temperature to the setting on your thermostat. But, at the same time, they drive up your electricity bills.
Applying LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier paint to your attic ceiling prevents heat gain during the summer and heat loss in the winter months. It maintains comfortable home and attic temperatures with fewer fluctuations. Also, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work quite as hard, lowering your home power costs.
Installation Process and Versatility
A LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier works on attics, walls, and ducts. You can apply it in any household space where heat gain or loss is an issue. For most homeowners, that’s in the attic.
How To Install the LO/MIT Spray-On Radiant Barrier
Installation starts with removing any debris. Homeowners or contractors should clear the area of cobwebs, dust, dirt, and insulation if it’s present. As a paint, LO/MIT works best on solid, smooth surfaces where it can be evenly distributed.
Applying the LO/MIT solution requires an airless paint sprayer and paint mixer. You’ll also need drop cloths to protect floor surfaces and safety equipment, such as goggles, a respirator, and coveralls.
After loading the LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier into the paint sprayer, apply it to the areas you want to treat. Just one coat is needed to get maximum efficiency and cooling costs. Most people complete the process in less than one day.
Traditional Radiant Barrier Installation Methods
Traditional radiant barriers come in large rolls, similar to insulation. They look like aluminum foil but may be thicker. They’re applied on top of other materials, such as cardboard or air infiltration barrier material.
Builders may attach a radiant barrier during the homebuilding process, applying it to the roof rafters before installing sheathing. However, it’s possible to install a radiant barrier to already-built homes from the attic’s interior. To do so, you would just staple the materials to the rafters, leaving a small gap for air space.
Traditional radiant barriers conduct electricity, so be careful not to touch any wires. Most homeowners hire out the task rather than risk a faulty installation or home damage.
Suitable Use Cases
A LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier is ideal for all building types, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Its low emissivity, simple application process, and effectiveness attract property owners seeking to improve energy efficiency.
Comparing LO/MIT to Other Radiant Barriers
How does a spray-on radiant barrier compare to more traditional solutions?
Efficiency and Performance
Traditional radiant barriers and their spray-on peers have similar performance levels. Both offer low emissivity scores, which refer to the product’s tendency to radiate thermal energy. Scores range from 0 to 1, with a lower score meaning less heat transfer or loss.
Remington Solar’s LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier has an emissivity of e=0.17. That’s among the lowest of all spray-on radiant barrier solutions, meaning it substantially reduces heat fluctuations when applied.
Traditional radiant barrier efficiency varies by manufacturer. Potential buyers can request emissivity scores when shopping around.
Cost-Effectiveness and Return on Investment (ROI)
A LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier is highly affordable. A single bucket of the solution covers 2,000 square feet and costs less than $400.
Traditional radiant barriers are more expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 to fully insulate a home attic. Larger spaces, such as office buildings or industrial sites, would cost even more.
The return on investment (ROI) is high for radiant barriers, especially for homeowners in hot climates such as Texas or Florida. As an example, say your average monthly electricity bill in El Paso is $200. After installing a spray-on radiant barrier, your electricity bill would drop by 15% to $170. The $30 monthly savings would then cover the cost of supplies in just over a year. Every year after that, you’d save approximately $360 on electric costs.
If you opted for a traditional radiant barrier, it would take longer to see a return on investment because of the increased installation costs.
Long-Term Durability and Maintenance Requirements
Spray-on radiant barriers last a lifetime and don’t require any maintenance. Once the solution is applied, the barrier immediately reduces heat transfer and loss from outside elements.
The durability of traditional radiant barriers varies. Solutions that use only foil and substrate materials may last up to 80 years. Insulation-based products are susceptible to moisture and pest damage, so they may require more frequent upkeep.
Why Choose Remington Solar for Your Radiant Barrier Needs?
Remington Solar is a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient, eco-friendly solutions. Our high-quality LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier solutions substantially reduce home power costs, while being offered at an affordable price. Since 2006, we’ve helped millions of customers save on power and cooling costs, and improve the comfort of their homes.
Whether you want to apply it yourself or hire a professional contractor, our LO/MIT spray-on radiant barrier is sure to deliver positive results.
Contact Remington Solar to schedule a consultation or learn more about our products.
