Radiant barrier systems(RES) constructed with low emissivity materials bounded by an open air space can be used to reduce the net radiation transfer between two surfaces. To analyze the heat transfer characteristics of the radiant barrier systems which consist of a single-glass and radiation barriers, a simple theoretical model based on energy balances was suggested. And the model was validated by means of the experimental results. Using a guarded hot box, the temperatures of layers in selected RES and energy use for each cases were measured. The results show that the model well explained the heat transfer characteristics of those RES. Also, the heat transfer coefficient correlations considering natural and forced convection heat transfer ware suggested. It is found that the heat transfer efficiency of a RBS with aluminium surface improved up to 66.6% over that of a single glazing system.