Guide for estimating differences in building heating and cooling energy due to changes in solar reflectance of a low-sloped roof

Technical Report · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5616880· OSTI ID:5616880

Griggs, E. I.; Sharp, T. R.; MacDonald, J. M.

This guidebook describes a procedure that can be used to estimate changes in heating and cooling costs and the net energy cost difference for a building as a result of changing roof color'', or more technically roof solar reflectance. The cost of heating and cooling a building is affected by roof color. A higher roof solar reflectance reduces the solar energy absorbed by the roof and therefore usually provides a reduction in the cost of air conditioning, while causing heating costs to increase. If the difference between reduced cooling costs and increased heating costs is significant, it can affect the choice of membrane for a new roof or a re-roofed building. This guidebook helps the user estimate this energy cost difference for his particular roof. It also describes how various factors influence potential energy savings and actual roof surface temperatures for different solar reflectances. The guidebook is intended to be used by building owners, roofing contractors, or other interested individuals who wish to evaluate the energy cost impacts of different roof solar reflectances. 31 refs., 15 figs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5616880
• Report Number(s): ORNL-6527; ON: DE90000960
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320100* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Buildings
BUILDINGS
COST
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
HEATING
REFLECTION
ROOFS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SOLAR HEATING
SPACE HEATING
THERMAL INSULATION