Research highlights from monitoring efficiency of High Albedo white roofs in improving thermal comfort of occupants of EWS residences in India

SAUMYA RANJAN SAHOO

Volume : IV, Issue : I, January - 2015

Research highlights from monitoring efficiency of High Albedo white roofs in improving thermal comfort of occupants of EWS residences in India

Saumya Ranjan Sahoo

Abstract :

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)household in India are those section groups with annual earnings up to two lakhs. (GOI, 2013). Generally in India, EWS homes are built which are smaller in size with a carpet area of 21 to 27 Square meters and 28 to 60 Square meters respectively with average occupancy of 2 -5 occupants per homes throughout the year. Thermal comfort is an important aspect of the building design process as modern man spends most of the days indoors. Thermal Comfort - the state of mind, which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment(Joost Van Hoof, 2010).High Albedo white roof is one such emerging technology that is becoming popular in developed countries experiencing tropical warmer climate.High Albedo white roofs are like thermal insulation that reflects the solar gain before it is absorbed by roof surfaces, reducing the intensity of heat transmitted through roof surfaces to living spaces. The study has been specially concentrated on the analyzing the impact of High Albedo roofs technologies on improving thermal comfort of occupants of economical weaker section households in India.For this purpose, two identical economically weaker sections houses oriented in same direction located in warm dry climate of Ahmedabad, Gujarat were monitored to understand the impact of High Albedo roofs on improving thermal comfort.