Measured energy savings and demand reduction from a reflective roof membrane on a large retail store in Austin

Technical Report · Mon Jun 25 04:00:00 EDT 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/787107· OSTI ID:787107

Konopacki, Steven J ^[1]; Akbari, Hashem

---

1. LBNL Library

In this study, we measured and documented summertime air-conditioning (a/c) daily energy savings and demand reduction from a reflective roof membrane retrofit on a large retail store in Austin, Texas. The original black rubber membrane was replaced with white thermoplastic resulting in a decrease in the average maximum roof surface temperature from 168 degrees F (76 degrees C) to 126 degrees F (52 degrees C). This building, with 100,000ft2 (9300m2) of roof area, yielded 3.6Wh/ft2 (39Wh/m2) in a/c average daily energy savings and 0.35W/ft2 (3.8W/m2) in average reduced demand. Total a/c annual abated energy and demand expenditures were estimated to be $7200 or $0.072/ft2 ($0.77/m2). Based on cost data provided by the building manager, the payback is instantaneous with negligible incremental combined labor and material costs. The estimated present value of future abated expenditures ranged from $62,000 to $71,000 over the baseline 13-year service life of the roof membrane.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs; Environmental Protection Agency (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 787107
• Report Number(s): LBNL--47149
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
AIR CONDITIONING
EXPENDITURES
MEMBRANES
REFLECTIVE ROOF ENERGY SAVINGS AIR-CONDITIONING HEAT ISLAND
ROOFS
RUBBERS
SERVICE LIFE
TEXAS
THERMOPLASTICS