Effect of solar radiation control on energy costs—A radiation control fact sheet for low-slope roofs

Thomas W. Petrie, Jerald A. Atchley, Phillip W. Childs, André O. Desjarlais

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Low-slope roofs on commercial buildings are exposed to the full amount of horizontal solar radiation. The solar radiation that is absorbed heats the roof surface. The absorbed solar energy, now characterized by the roof surface temperature, is partially remitted in the infrared spectrum. By selecting or coating a low-slope roof so it has a medium to high solar reflectance and a low to high infrared emittance, the desired amount of solar radiation control is achieved. In this paper, background is presented on the development of an interactive estimating tool to assist commercial building owners and/or operators in the selection of a roof. If the low-slope roof is given solar radiation control, the estimating tool indicates the annual savings in operating costs to condition a building under the roof. Alternatively, the tool can give the amount of conventional thermal insulation without radiation control that a roof needs in order to have the same annual energy costs as the roof with the existing amount of conventional insulation and solar radiation control. The tool is part of a fact sheet on solar radiation control for low-slope roofs. The fact sheet is on our Internet web site.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBuildings VIII
Subtitle of host publicationThermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings
PublisherAmerican Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
ISBN (Electronic)1883413966, 9781883413965
StatePublished - Jan 1 2001
Event8th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings 2001 - Clearwater, United States
Duration: Dec 2 2001Dec 7 2001

Publication series

NameThermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings
ISSN (Electronic)2166-8469

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings 2001
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityClearwater
Period12/2/0112/7/01

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