VA-89-08-5 -- Radiation Control Coatings: An Underutilized Energy Conservation Technology for Buildings PDF

The application of radiation control coatings (RCCs) to exterior roof and waft surfaces can effectively block solar heat gains to these building components and thereby significantly reduce cooling energy consumption and the sizing of cooling equipment. The key properties of RCCs are high solar reflectance and high ambient temperature emittance. RCCs offer a viable and cost-effective alternative to bulk thermal insulation for buildings in warm climates.

Although the basic principles of how RCCs behave are well known, the properties of RCC products and the performance of these products in building applications have not been adequately demonstrated and documented. Consequently, the application of RCCs to buildings remains underutillzed and, as yet, is not recognized in building energy codes.

This paper discusses the status of the RCC technology and the benefits to be gained from the use of RCCs, including estimated reductions in cooling requirements and energy consumption. Projects are suggested to demonstrate the full potential of RCC technology for building applications.