Thermal Performance Using Radiant Barrier and Phase Change Material in Roofs

This paper analyzes the thermal performance of two passive roof construction technologies as a means of improving the indoor thermal conditions under summer conditions. Three identical Test Cell Structures (TCS) were constructed in eastern Kansas. All the TCSs were calibrated, and two types of roofing technologies, Radiant Barrier (RB) and Phase Change Material (PCM), were individually applied to a TCS. Their performance in terms of indoor air temperature reduction was compared. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was calculated for the study. The experimental results show that the thermal performance of RB obtained more thermal improvement. TCS equipped with RB registered indoor air temperature 1.6°C (2.9°F) lower than the control test structure.

keywords: Thermal performance; Passive roofs, Energy; Test cell structures