Field Evaluation of Reflective Bubble-Pack Insulation in Broiler Housing

Abstract

A reflective bubble-pack insulation was installed in a new broiler house in central North Carolina during the summer of 1988. This insulation consisted of a 0.64 cm (0.25 in.) thick layer of plastic with air pockets and aluminized exterior surfaces. Interior air and black globe temperatures, electricity, and heating fuel (LP gas) used for this house were compared with those for an adjacent house insulated with 15 cm (6 in.) of fiberglass batts with a vapor barrier. Heating fuel use over 10 broiler flocks was greater in the reflective insulation (RI) house than the fiberglass insulation (FI) house by 10 200 L (2700 gal), indicating a lower thermal resistance for the reflective insulation. This confirms laboratory evaluations of such materials (Cox and Baughman, 1985; Riskowski et al., 1989). Electricity use was slightly greater in the RI house (6 974 vs. 6 617 kWh). Differences between house temperatures (both black globe and air temperatures), averaged over each of three flocks, were 0.68 C (1.08 F) or less, indicating adequate heating and ventilation. Condensation was observed during cool weather on the interior ceiling near the eaves of the RI house, but not the FI house, and dust accumulated on the interior walls and ceiling of both houses. The thermal reflectance of the reflective insulation surface, 31 months after installation, was measured to be 0.61, a reduction of approximately 0.3 from the reflectance of the product in new condition.