This article was originally published July 9, 2012. As the temperatures rise, you start worrying about your air-conditioning bill and hope that somewhere, somehow you can find a new, improved and ...

Q. I recently heard about some new cooling strategy called “radiant barriers” in which heat from the house is directed up to the roof. Do you know if this really works, and if reflecting the heat out ...

Attic radiant barriers and interior radiation control coatings are proven technologies that significantly reduce the flow of radiant heat across attic spaces. This reduction in radiant heat lowers ...

Shiny, flashy radiant barriers are a hot topic among Sunbelt homeowners interested in reducing their utility bills. Installed in attic air spaces between the roof decking and insulation, a radiant ...

Much effort is being made to ensure our addition to Bedlam Manor will look as if it has been here 70 years. We want the addition to look old, but be energy-efficient. The roof is decked with a ...

Question: Will stapling inexpensive aluminum foil under the roof rafters really reduce the heat inside my house? I feel a lot of heat coming through the ceiling in the afternoon and evening. _ H.N.

Q: I recently heard about some new cooling strategy called “radiant barriers” in which heat from the house is directed up to the roof. Do you know if this really works, and if reflecting the heat out ...

‘Radiant barrier” is a relatively new term in the world of home improvement. So what exactly is it, how and why does it work, and what makes radiant barrier foil effective in reducing energy bills?

Question: I have to do something to lower my heating and cooling costs. My air conditioner runs nonstop in hot summer weather, and in bitter winter weather the furnace is on all the time. I have added ...

Question: When I told my neighbor about the radiant barriers I read about in your column, he said it sounded like this would damage the shingles. What do you think of this? Answer: Obviously, if the ...

Q: What is your take on using two-sided aluminum material in the attic over existing insulation? I've been told it is an idea from NASA that uses material like this to protect astronauts in space. A ...