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Attic Radiant Barriers
The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources and Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) have issued an alert to consumers who are considering the purchase of radiant barriers in their attics. Both Commerce and BBB have received numerous reports of salespeople pitching the radiant barrier product at free dinners throughout Minnesota.
Radiant barriers consist of a reflective film, usually aluminum, laid over the top of attic insulation in existing homes. They are sold as an energy-saving product, with claims of significant reductions in both heating and cooling costs. However, their potential benefit is primarily in reducing air-conditioning cooling loads in warm or hot climates and in buildings with little or no insulation.
A Radiant Barrier Fact Sheet compiled by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy shows that the benefits of radiant barriers decrease significantly as one travels north. In southern cities like Miami, Fla., or Austin, Texas, radiant barriers could reduce one's utility bill by as much as $150 per year using average residential electricity prices. But by the time you reach colder climate states such as Minnesota, where air-conditioning loads are considerably less, savings drop to only $10 to $40 a year. If there are no ducts or air handlers in the attic, the savings are much less.
If the price to install the radiant barrier is $2,500 or more and the consumer only saves $25 per year, it would take at least 100 years to pay back the investment. It's also important to note that radiant barrier products have negligible benefit in reducing heating costs. It is unlikely that most Minnesota consumers would realize any measurable energy savings from radiant barriers in attics.
The U.S. Department of Energy and Minnesota Department of Commerce agree that, in Minnesota, implementing air sealing and adding conventional attic insulation would be considerably cheaper and much more effective for saving energy than installing a radiant barrier. In fact, as attic insulation levels increase, the potential benefits from a radiant barrier decrease. Getting a home energy assessment through your gas or electric utility is encouraged as a first step to identifying cost-effective energy improvements. Consumers can contact their utility to arrange an energy audit.
Before purchasing any energy-saving product, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota advise you to:
- Always research the business at bbb.org.
- Ask for references and proof the company can substantiate their claims.
- Do the math and figure out how long it will take to recoup your investment.
- Verify a working address, phone number and website to ensure that you can contact the business with any questions or concerns.
- If you have an unresolved issue or concerns about a questionable sales pitch regarding energy-saving devices, be proactive and file a formal complaint with the BBB at bbb.org: the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov, as well as with your state Attorney General's Office.
- Check energystar.gov to be sure the business or product is Energy Star approved.
- BBB also offers the following tips to consider before attending a free luncheon seminar:
- Be aware that in most cases presenters will promote their products or services. Typical products sold at these seminars include energy-saving products, self- help materials, investment plans or websites for home-based businesses.
- Do not be pressured into signing a contract or making a purchasing decision. Take as much time as you need to evaluate the company's claims and/or the promotional materials you receive.
- Read and understand all materials carefully before signing anything. Be sure to look for information on guarantees, warranties and refund policies.
- Remember the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives you three business days to cancel a contract if you sign it in your home or at a location other than the contractor's permanent place of business, such as a restaurant or hotel/motel room.
- Be sure to note any differences between the product at the luncheon and the product received if purchased.
For more information on insulation and other energy-efficient measures to improve your home, contact the Division of Energy Resources at 800-657-3710 or 651-539-1886 or visit mn.gov/commerce/energy. The website offers home energy guides, including the "Home Envelope" consumer guide that includes information on a wide range of energy efficiency topics (including air sealing and insulation) and choosing a contractor.
Remodeling your home
Some homeowners are handy enough to tackle their own remodeling or construction projects, but many will turn to contractors to make their visions a reality. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) offers a Top Ten list of things people should do before hiring a contractor:
- Check out their track record. Contact BBB to obtain free Business Reviews on any company you're considering hiring. Visit bbb.org or call 1-800-646-6222.
-Solicit multiple quotes. Shop around and get at least three written estimates.
-Verify license and insurance. Ensure that companies have a current license to perform work in Minnesota doli.state.mn.us , as well as liability and workers' compensation insurance. In North Dakota, visit sos.nd.gov/.
-Ask for references. Get references from recent jobs and verify them before signing a contract. Be leery of people who say they have leftover materials from a nearby project; ensure they are an employee of the business they claim to be representing, and take time to research the business.
-Inquire about a lien waiver. A lien waiver is a statement from the contractor that all suppliers and subcontractors have been paid for their work. Be sure to ask whether the contractor will provide you with a lien waiver upon completion of the work.
-Don't forget building permits. Permits are for your protection and help ensure work will meet local building codes. Check with your contractor before starting your project to see if a permit is necessary. Homeowners bear the cost of building permits, but companies should be responsible for obtaining any necessary permits.
-Consider future service issues. Keep in mind that if you choose a contractor or company that isn't local you need to know who to contact in regard to any service needs that may arise after completion of the project.
-Get everything in writing. Don't allow work to commence without a signed, written contract that includes project start and completion dates, exact costs, specific work to be done and warranty information. Be aware that anything you sign is a contract.
-Don't rely on verbal promises. Any promises made orally should be written into the contract, including warranties on materials and/or labor.
-Arrange a payment schedule. Never pay in full in advance of a project. Stagger your payments according to agreed-upon stages of work completion and don't make a final payment until all work is finished. Never pay in cash; use check or credit card.
Storm Damage Repair/Restoration
The following list of tips were created by BBB, with the input of representatives from the storm damage repair industry, to assist consumers in making wise buying decisions.
-Be aware that anything you sign is a contract. Read carefully or avoid signing an "estimate" or "authorization" form before you have actually decided to hire a particular contractor. Pay special attention to any details in bold, that are underlined or that you need to initial.
-Ask your contractor for references. Research companies for free at bbb.org.
-Ask for proof of liability and workers compensation insurance and well as a license to do work. A contractor should be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, not you.
-Consumers may or may not be entitled to a re-inspection if their initial storm damage claim is denied. Factors taken into consideration may include the quality of the original report and the photos from the original inspection. You may want to ask your contractor to assist in asking for a re-inspection.
-Some contractors specialize in storm damage repair. Ask your contractor to explain their process for working with insurance companies and to describe what you can expect to experience during the process. For example, the claim may need to change depending on whether or not additional damage is found during the restoration process. Also, checks may be issued in stages by your insurance company.
-When you need storm damage repair, insurance policies vary. Check with your insurance agent about what is or isn't paid for by insurance with regards to repair or replacement.
-Local or national companies may both do a fine job with your storm damage repair needs. If you choose to do business with someone who is not local, be sure to understand who will be taking care of any service needs that may arise after the completion of the project.
-Understand the differences between warranties and guarantees. The manufacturer warranties their products and contractors have warranties on service. Contractors may also offer customer service guarantees. Get copies of any/all warranties and guarantees.
-Refrain from filing an insurance claim that you do not intend to fix. There could be repercussions from your insurance company when you are being compensated to make certain repairs. Keep in mind that if you hold a mortgage on your home, your mortgage company may have a vested interest in you making the repairs and most mandate you to make the repairs.
-Some companies list bids on their own contract to do service work on your home and some do not (basing their pricing on insurance allowance). Both are acceptable methods of conducting business.
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