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Showing posts from May, 2010

Cool Roofs Really Shine

This solution may not be applicable 100% in India but it can be starting point for energy saving. Taking the energy-efficient housing market by storm, cool roofs are one of the most cost-effective and stable green technologies in new construction. A cool roof is a roof built with materials that have high solar reflectivity, high albedo, and high emissivity. What is albedo? Although in Latin it translates to "white," the term albedo refers to the percentage of solar radiation or heat reflected away from a structure. The albedo is primarily based on color, with white having 100% albedo, and black having 0%. The albedo of a roof determines how much thermal energy the home will absorb. With most roofs being a dark color, many home cooling systems have to make up for the heat absorbed in warmer months. The coolest roofs have the highest albedo or solar reflectance, at about 65% or more. The type of cool roof that is best for your home depends on whether your home has ...