Total Solar Reflectance Optimization of the External Paint Coat in Residential Buildings Located in Mediterranean Climates

Tiago Souto, Margarida Almeida, Vítor Leal, João Machado and Adélio Mendes
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Tiago Souto: Corporação Industrial do Norte, S.A., avenida Dom Mendo, n. 831, Apartado 1008, 4471-909 Maia, Portugal
Margarida Almeida: Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Vítor Leal: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
João Machado: Corporação Industrial do Norte, S.A., avenida Dom Mendo, n. 831, Apartado 1008, 4471-909 Maia, Portugal
Adélio Mendes: Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: This work addresses the effect of the total solar reflectance (TSR) value of paints applied in residential buildings upon their thermal performance. A semi-detached residential building was modeled in the ESP-r software, and taken as the basis for parametric studies which assessed the effects of variations in (i) the TSR values; (ii) the thermal characteristics of the building envelope; (iii) the location/climate; and: (iv) the way how the indoor temperature is controlled. The parametric studies were used to find optimal TSR values for each combination of Location + Building envelope characteristics (mainly the existence of thermal insulation). It was concluded that paints having a carefully chosen TSR value lead to better indoor thermal temperatures if the buildings have no mechanical heating or cooling, or to energy savings of up to 32% if they do.

Keywords: energy efficiency; solar reflectance; building simulation; thermal comfort; passive architecture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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