Cool fluorocarbon coatings in industrial buildings: optical properties and energy performance

Rejection of solar gains is the aim of passive cooling strategies in any type of building and any climatic region. The extent of cool materials usefulness is dependent on the severity of external conditions and internal heat gains. The aim of the present paper is to underline the contribution of an innovative cool fluorocarbon coating in the reduction of energy demand for cooling in an industrial building with increased heat gains under temperate climatic conditions. The material is tested using accelerated weathering procedures and its optical properties, i.e. solar reflectance and infrared emmitance are measured. There is an increase of 120% of the roof’s albedo by the application of cool material.  Regarding the heating and cooling loads there was a decrease of 73% for cooling while there was a minor heating penalty of 5%.