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- Title
Cool Roof Use in Commercial Buildings in the United States: An Energy Cost Analysis.
- Authors
Taylor, Thomas J.; Hartwig, Christian
- Abstract
Solar radiation absorption and reflection on roof surfaces affects heating and cooling energy demand. Prior studies of energy costs associated with the long-term trend toward using highly reflective roof membranes, (i.e., "cool roofs") are reviewed and shown to have conflicting results in terms of the impact on heating costs. Also, the guidance for membrane reflectivity selection for building designers in terms of climate zone and/or heating and cooling degree days has not been clear. In this paper, both 2015 energy costs and insulation codes by state have been used to model the impact of cool roofs on building energy demand. Assuming natural gas as a heating energy source and electric airconditioning, then the modeled cool roofs are shown to provide a net cost savings across all cities studied, even when long-term membrane reflectivity values are considered. When electric demand charges are factored in, there is little correlation between the magnitude of savings and location climate.
- Subjects
SOLAR radiation; HEAT transfer; ROOFING materials; HEATING &; ventilation industry; ENVIRONMENTAL engineering of buildings
- Publication
ASHRAE Transactions, 2018, Vol 124, Issue Part 1, p88
- ISSN
0001-2505
- Publication type
Article