Optimizing building surface retro-reflectivity to reduce energy load and CO2 emissions of an enclosed teaching building

Abstract Building surface reflectivity determines the amount of reflected solar radiation, which indirectly affects cooling and heating load a building. Therefore, optimizing building retro-reflectivity is an effective method to reduce energy CO2 emissions buildings. To analyse optimization potential retro-reflectivity, effect on daily, monthly yearly load, as well educational were simulated based Energyplus software. The numerical results showed that for daily in four typical seasons, there was positive correlation between reflectivities January, April October negative July. For loads highest January August, respectively. annual higher reflectivity, lower load. When 0.7, least, with value 148.23 kWh/m2. In addition, emission also lowest, 24.79 kg/m2. According relation retro-reflectivities, optimal 0.47.