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

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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 roofs surface temperature, is partially remitted in the infrared spectrum. Be 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, backgroun 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 ORNL's internet web site.
Date
12/2001
Author(s)
Thomas Petrie; Jerald Atchley; Phillip Childs; Andre Desjarlais
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
ASHRA; ORNL; solar radition; energy cost; low slope roof; solar energy; surface temperature; solar reflectance


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