Ríos-Fernández, J C (2022) Thermal performance assessment of cool roofs on supermarkets through case analysis in 13 cities. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(2), pp. 739-754. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to study the use of cool roof technology to avoid unnecessary energy consumption in supermarkets. This will allow to reduce and even cancel the heat absorbed by the roofs, transferring it to the buildings and thus, creating more sustainable cities. Design/methodology/approach: Thirteen real supermarkets with cool roofs were analysed in Australia, Canada, the USA and Spain. An analysis of so many supermarkets located in different parts of the world with different climatic zones has allowed an inductive analysis, obtaining real data of energy consumption associated with the air conditioning installations for a year with and without implementing the cool roof technology. Findings: The paper provides insights on how the use of cool roof managed to reduce the need for energy for heating, ventilating and air conditioning by between 3.5 and 38%. Additionally, this technology reduces the annual generation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per square meter of supermarket up to 2.7 kgCO2/m2. It could be an economical technology to apply in new and old buildings with a period of average economic recovery of four years. Research limitations/implications: Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may be generalisable. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test proposals in construction with other uses. Practical implications: The paper includes economic and environmental implications for the development of cool roof technology and smooths the way for its implementation to increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Originality/value: This paper is an innovative contribution to the application of cool roof technology as a source of energy savings in commercial construction through the analysis of supermarkets located in different countries with different climate zones. This will help other researchers to advance in this field and facilitate the implementation of the technology.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cool roof; energy efficiency; supermarket; sustainable cities; thermal comfort |
| Index terms: | commercial building, methodology, thermal performance, air conditioning, proposal, carbon dioxide, economic recovery, energy consumption, energy-saving, cool roof, thermal comfort, implementation, roof, energy efficiency, commercial construction, Spain, Australia, sustainable city, Canada |
| Subjects: | urban design, Geography, research methods, structural engineering, design practice, environmental engineering, climate science, construction type, economic analysis, project planning, energy systems, contractual arrangements, sustainability and energy |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Urban Studies, Construction Technology, Procurement, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here