In 1998, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) completed a comprehensive report detailing the effect of solar reflectance on annual heating and cooling costs. There test data came from a tremendous amount of live measurements ran through a computer program.
TARP or Thermal Analysis Research Program is a program capable of computing hour by hour temperature data on a varietey of conditions within a building. They tested from a variety of locations including.
- Miami, Florida
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Washington, DC
- Portland, Maine
- Bismarck, North Dakota
The result is a great analysis on the effect that roof reflectivity had on annual heating and cooling costs in different areas in the country.
We must warn you. The report is lengthy. Here are links directly to the reports Economic Discussion and Summary/Conclusion sections for those who want to get right to it.
If you are interested in reflectivity and radiant barrier technology you will enjoy the entire report. Please click the link to view the report from the beginning.
Please enjoy. There is some really great information included.
