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Cool Roof Impact on Building Energy Need: The Role of Thermal Insulation with Varying Climate Conditions

Author

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  • Cristina Piselli

    (Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy
    CIRIAF-Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

  • Anna Laura Pisello

    (Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy
    CIRIAF-Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

  • Mohammad Saffari

    (UCD Energy Institute, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland)

  • Alvaro de Gracia

    (CIRIAF-Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy
    GREiA Research Group, INSPIRES Research Centre, University of Lleida, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Franco Cotana

    (Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy
    CIRIAF-Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

  • Luisa F. Cabeza

    (GREiA Research Group, INSPIRES Research Centre, University of Lleida, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

Abstract

Cool roof effectiveness in improving building thermal-energy performance is affected by different variables. In particular, roof insulation level and climate conditions are key parameters influencing cool roofs benefits and whole building energy performance. This work aims at assessing the role of cool roof in the optimum roof configuration, i.e., combination of solar reflectance capability and thermal insulation level, in terms of building energy performance in different climate conditions worldwide. To this aim, coupled dynamic thermal-energy simulation and optimization analysis is carried out. In detail, multi-dimensional optimization of combined building roof thermal insulation and solar reflectance is developed to minimize building annual energy consumption for heating–cooling. Results highlight how a high reflectance roof minimizes annual energy need for a small standard office building in the majority of considered climates. Moreover, building energy performance is more sensitive to roof solar reflectance than thermal insulation level, except for the coldest conditions. Therefore, for the selected building, the optimum roof typology presents high solar reflectance capability (0.8) and no/low insulation level (0.00–0.03 m), except for extremely hot or cold climate zones. Accordingly, this research shows how the classic approach of super-insulated buildings should be reframed for the office case toward truly environmentally friendly buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Piselli & Anna Laura Pisello & Mohammad Saffari & Alvaro de Gracia & Franco Cotana & Luisa F. Cabeza, 2019. "Cool Roof Impact on Building Energy Need: The Role of Thermal Insulation with Varying Climate Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:17:p:3354-:d:262612
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhuang, Chaoqun & Gao, Yafeng & Zhao, Yingru & Levinson, Ronnen & Heiselberg, Per & Wang, Zhiqiang & Guo, Rui, 2021. "Potential benefits and optimization of cool-coated office buildings: A case study in Chongqing, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    2. Frankie Fanjie Zeng & Jiajun Feng & Yuanzhi Zhang & Jin Yeu Tsou & Tengfei Xue & Yu Li & Rita Yi Man Li, 2021. "Comparative Study of Factors Contributing to Land Surface Temperature in High-Density Built Environments in Megacities Using Satellite Imagery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Piselli, Cristina & Prabhakar, Mohit & de Gracia, Alvaro & Saffari, Mohammad & Pisello, Anna Laura & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2020. "Optimal control of natural ventilation as passive cooling strategy for improving the energy performance of building envelope with PCM integration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 171-181.
    4. Mattia Manni & Alessia Di Giuseppe & Andrea Nicolini & Fabio Sciurpi & Franco Cotana, 2021. "Influences of a Highly Reflective Mulching Membrane on Heat Propagation throughout the Soil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-11, August.
    5. Farooq, Abdul Samad & Zhang, Peng & Gao, Yongfeng & Gulfam, Raza, 2021. "Emerging radiative materials and prospective applications of radiative sky cooling - A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    6. Cristina Piselli & Matteo Di Grazia & Anna Laura Pisello, 2020. "Combined Effect of Outdoor Microclimate Boundary Conditions on Air Conditioning System’s Efficiency and Building Energy Demand in Net Zero Energy Settlements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-13, July.
    7. Cristina Piselli & Alessio Guastaveglia & Jessica Romanelli & Franco Cotana & Anna Laura Pisello, 2020. "Facility Energy Management Application of HBIM for Historical Low-Carbon Communities: Design, Modelling and Operation Control of Geothermal Energy Retrofit in a Real Italian Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, December.

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