These are questions I have been pondering for several years:
By Rafael Royo Pastor – UPV
- Why do only visible and infrared radiation have a thermal effect and heat materials?
- Why not ultraviolet?
Light-colored buildings heat up significantly less than dark ones; color has a considerable effect on the heating of a facade. This is because visible radiation has a clear thermal effect: a dark-colored building absorbs much more visible radiation, while a light-colored one reflects it. This phenomenon should be taken into account, and the color adapted to the thermal conditions of the building’s location.
I know it sounds silly, but there is an optimal color for winter and another for summer!
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About Rafael Royo:
Rafael Royo Pastor holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering and works as a Professor at the Institute of Energy Engineering – Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) – Spain. He is Level III certified, specializing in infrared radiation and heat transfer, and has focused on three application fields: internal combustion engines in automotive, optimization and energy efficiency, and high-efficiency buildings. He collaborated with the Renault Spain Studies Department for almost ten years, and with companies such as ACCIONA. Finally, Rafael is an active collaborator of the ITC in the development of training materials, leading the instructor team in Spain, and teaching courses in both Spain and Latin America.
