Manufacturer:  Heat Shield Marine
Address:  195 Country Rd., Huntsville, AL 35806
Phone:  (205) 830-2676
Web Site: www.heatshieldmarine.com

Product Name:  Super Refrigerator Liner
Insulation Classification: Radiant heat reflector
Thickness As Tested: 1.25"
Claimed "R" Value: 30.0
Actual "R" Value (at product thickness): 4.30
Equivalent "R" Value (per inch): 3.44

Product Overview
Heat Shield's "Super Refrigerator Liner" consists of eight layers of polyethylene packaging foam (each layer has a sheet of reinforced aluminum foil glued to it). Buried midway through the packaging foam layers and foil  is a single piece of soft rubber mesh of the type used to prevent rugs from sliding on polished floors.  The entire assembly is held together by nylon clothing "price tag" holders.

To use the material, an "envelope" is made out of a heat sealable material (supplied) by melting the edges together with a clothes iron (not supplied).  The layered foam assembly is placed into the envelope and sealed closed except for a small opening.  The directions explain that a drinking straw (not supplied) is then used to "suck the air out of the bag".  Holding the small opening closed, the clothes iron is then used to seal off the bag.  The entire bag is then glued to the existing liner inside the refrigerator box.

The company's promotional material makes repeated reference to the incorporation of "NASA Technology".  While it is true that reflective foils are frequently used in space (where the absence of an atmosphere makes them effective), Heat Shield does not state whether this is the specific aspect of the "technology" to which they are referring.  Similarly, reference is made to patents and patents-pending without giving numbers or describing the means by which the "advanced technologies" are going to benefit the user.

"Normal Testing Doesn't Work"
Heat Shield was sent a copy of the Galcier Bay test data and asked to explain why the results differed so drastically from the company's claims.  Heat Shield President, William Mosher stated that "normal insulation testing doesn't work" with their product.  Instead, the company says their claimed "R" rating was obtained by doing an "ice melt test" in a box insulated with their product and estimating the insulative value from this.  A description of this test is given on their web site.  When reminded that such an ice melt test would be very inaccurate, did not meet the federal requirements for insulation testing, and is neither ASTM or NIST approved, Mr. Mosher declined to discuss the matter further.

Test Conclusion
Despite statements to the contrary, users of Heat Shield's Super Refrigerator Liner will obtain an effective "R" value of 4.30 for the 1.25" thick material (R-3.44 per inch).  This same value will be obtained whether or not the material has been evacuated with the "straw" as directed intheir instalation instructions.  In most installations, the customer will notice an improvement in the performance of their refrigerator.  This improvement will be proportionate to the reduction in interior volume (as a result of putting in the insulation) and the addition of R 4.3 insulation. Those hoping for greater performance than this will be disappointed.  Virtually all common insulation foams provide a better "R" value at lower cost.