Event Description

California has long embraced the use of solar reflective “cool” roofs to reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts of the urban heat island effect—and cool pavements are not far behind, with cities like LA and Davis implementing pilot programs. However, leveraging the power of vertical surfaces to reflect solar radiation and keep unwanted heat out of our homes, businesses, and schools is another design strategy that architects, designers, and engineers can employ to help cool Californians (and people in other places!) as we face more intense and frequent heat waves and all-around warmer weather.

Sarah Schneider with the Cool Roof Rating Council will describe the co-benefits of cool surfaces, with a special focus on solar-reflective exterior walls.

The one-hour seminar will cover how materials are tested and rated; the important role of third-party ratings in compliance and enforcement; identifying products that qualify for LEED and Green Globes credits; development of codes and standards that prescribe the use of cool surfaces materials; and how technical innovation in product development has opened up the near limitless possibilities for capturing energy savings and boosting resilience through the building envelope.

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the surface radiative properties of solar reflectance and thermal emittance.
• Explain how cool surfaces can reduce a building’s solar heat gain and lower the temperatures of buildings and surrounding communities.
• Identify roof and wall products that comply with California’s energy and green building standards, as well as qualify for LEED and Green Globes heat island reduction credits.
• Access free online resources that are designed to aid architects, specifiers, contractors, engineers, plan checkers, and inspectors in code and program compliance and for calculating energy savings.