AbstractDuring the past seven years, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has conducted extensive experimental research on radiant barrier systems (RBS). This paper presents recent research on the development of mathematical attic models and results from a sensitivity analysis of RBS performance parameters.Two levels of modelling capability have been developed. A very simplified model based on ASHRAE procedures is used to study the sensitivity of RBS performance parameters, and a very detailed finite‐element model is used to study highly complex phenomena, including moisture adsorption and desorption in attics. The speed of the simple model allows a large range of attic parameters to be studied quickly, and the finite‐element model provides a detailed understanding of combined heat and moisture transport in attics.This paper concentrates on the sensitivity analysis of attic RBS performance parameters using the simplified model. The development of the model is described, and results of the analyses are presented and discussed. Results from the finite‐element model are also presented and compared with measurements from a test attic to illustrate the effects of moisture adsorption and desorption in common attics.The simplified steady‐state model shows excellent agreement with measured steady‐state data when thermal stratification of the attic air is modelled. Results of the sensitivity analysis using this model show that the radiant barrier surface emittance and the attic ventilation inlet air temperature are the most sensitive performance parameters for attic radiant barrier systems.The detailed, finite‐element model shows that moisture sorption phenomena can have significant effects in attics. The daily temperature extremes in attics are significant, and they induce a moisture flux at the surfaces of the materials bounding the air zone(s). If this moisture flux is not accounted for in detail (i.e. with fully coupled heat and moisture transport equations) inaccurate surface temperature predictions are like