Reflective Building Facades: The Effect of Albedo on Outdoor Thermal Comfort – A Case Study of Low-Rise Apartments

Abstract

In tropical locations, where urban areas experience considerable temperature rises relative to rural areas, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is becoming more and more evident. Reflective building facades, global warming, and hardscape areas are all contributing issues. Because they reflect solar heat, materials like glass, high-pressure laminates, and metallic sheets raise outdoor temperatures, which affects both human comfort and the environment.
This study looks into ways to lessen the negative impacts of reflecting facades on urban heat islands (UHIs), with a particular emphasis on how albedo affects microclimates and urban canyons. We examine the impacts of albedo on outdoor thermal comfort by analysing research from 2003 to 2022. We assess the impact of retroreflective materials on outdoor surroundings using numerical simulations and model tests. Thermal comfort indices can be calculated with ENVI-met software, which is useful for specialists in urban planning and architecture.
To demonstrate these consequences, a case study of a low-rise housing complex located in Greater Noida, India, is provided. With a subtropical climate, this region sees wide changes in temperature, with summer highs frequently reaching 43°C and winter lows of about 7°C. The study employs ENVI-met simulations to analyse thermal comfort indices based on real-world data, with an emphasis on the effects of reflecting facades in this setting.