Temperature Performance of Integrated Roof Cooling System in Malaysia

The design of the roof system has a significant impact on a building’s energy consumption, particularly in warmer climates with high cooling demands. In response to these challenges, a roof system reformation project was undertaken, incorporating various passive methods and a Ventilating Reflective Insulation System (VRIS) to enhance roof cooling practices. The passive techniques employed in the project included the use of a reflective finishing layer on the roof and a specially designed concrete slab. The concrete slab featured lightweight foam concrete and hollow cores, which contributed to its effectiveness in reducing heat transfer. This system facilitated the exchange of air between the roof and the external environment, helping to dissipate heat and maintain lower interior temperatures. Under an ambient temperature with a maximum of 39.8 ℃, the adoption of passive methods alone resulted in an average decrease of 7.31 ℃ in the roof interior temperature. On the other hand, the implementation of the VRIS contributed to an average roof interior temperature of 32.25 ℃. This represented a remarkable reduction in the average difference between the interior and ambient temperatures, shifting from 4.61 ℃ to -4.06 ℃ when compared to a conventional roof.