fairfolio
Saved Projects

Reflect the Heat

CSEF · 2011 Materials Science (Junior Division Only)

Shaelyn P. Topolovec · Fairmont Elementary School, Sanger, Fresno County

Overview

Objectives/Goals My hypothesis is that a radiant barrier will work more efficiently with a larger air space between it and the heat source. Methods/Materials I made an apparatus (a 12"x12"x24" insulated plywood box) by using plywood, 1x2 pine, and polystyrene for insulation. A fifteen watt light bulb was used as a heat source at one end of the apparatus. The inside of the apparatus was divided in half by 12"x12" roof panels made of 1x4 framing, 1/2" OSB sheeting, 15 lb. building paper, and asphault shingles. Four different roof panels were made that had a radiant barrier (heavy alminum foil) mounted in different positions. One was mounted on the shingles facing the heat source, one on the sheeting facing away, one on the rafters facing the heat source, and one was a control that didn't have a radiant barrier. I tested each roof panel in the apparatus measuring the temperature on both sides with digital thermometers every five minutes for two hours. I tested each panel three times each and averaged the three outcomes. I used the largest temperature differential on each panel tested to determine the performance of the radiant barrier. Results The control had an average temperature differential of 15.8° C (28.4° F) at 120 minutes. It had the lowest performance of all the tests. The shingle mounted radiant barrier had a temperature differential of 23.2° C (41.8° F) at 120 minutes. This was the highest temperature differential. The other radiant barrier positions performed within these two outcomes. Conclusions/Discussion After completing my investigation, I found that my hypothesis was correct. My hypothesis stated that a radiant barrier will work more efficiently with a larger air space between it and the heat source. My investigation showed that a radiant barrier in that position (mounted on the roof shingles facing up) had the greatest effect against radiant heat. Second place goes to the rafter mounted radiant barrier (4" air space facing heat source). The sheeting mounted radiant barrier came in third. This placement had a larger air space (the attic), but that air space was not between the barrier and the source. It was on the other side. In contrast, the control (standard roof with no radiant barrier) performed the worst.

Summary statement

I am testing if radiant barriers work better with a larger air space between them and the heat source.

Help received

Dad: Construction Help, Mom: Board Assembly Help, Grandpa: Material and Supplies, Teacher: Project Advisement.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2011 Materials Science (Junior Division Only) · Entry J1322

Resources

Related projects

Closest projects by meaning, across every fair and year in the corpus.

Browse more like this

Source: California Science & Engineering Fair public projects

Save projects to your library

Sign in with Google to keep track of projects you find interesting, organized into folders. An account also raises your daily allowance for “Has this been done?”, and lets you create a key for the MCP server with a much higher limit than anonymous use. Browsing stays public.

Continue with Google