Cost-effective Energy Conservation System

Abstract

A cost-effective, passive system for conserving energy during hot, summer months is presented. Earlier inventions in this area such as the attic fan (U.S. Pat. No. 2,746,674) worked by forcing the hot attic air out whenever the attic air temperature reached a predetermined level. The present invention works differently; by preventing heat buildup within the attic. A simple, mechanical system is designed to cover a large portion of the roof with a cloth like synthetic material that has a smooth, light-colored, reflective surface reflecting most of the incident solar energy during the months when the weather is hot. An air gap between this reflective surface and the roof further insulates the roof from the solar heat. This prevents build up of the super heated air in the attic thereby lowering the energy bills to cool the house and conserving energy. During the cooler months, this reflective surface covering the roof is fully or partially retracted as needed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] Energy costs to cool structures (e.g. houses, offices, condominiums) in order to maintain an optimal temperature inside when it is hot outside can be significant. The seasonal, peak demand imposed upon the electrical grid by the air conditioners during the hot summer daytime months necessitate bigger power generating stations than would otherwise be necessary. This results in pollution and degradation of environment when conventional fuels such as coal, natural gas, oil or nuclear are used. [0002] The field of the present invention relates to reducing cooling energy bills for structures such as houses, condominiums, and offices etc. thereby conserving energy. [0003] Earlier inventions such as the attic fans and the whole house fans worked by automatically operating when the heated attic air reached a certain set temperature. The operation of such fans threw out the super heated attic air that was then replaced by the comparatively cooler outside air. A...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Roof shingles are typically dark and rough and easily absorb solar heat. Especially in areas that experience summer temperatures in excess of 80 degree Fahrenheit significant energy savings can be obtained by preventing the roof from absorbing the incident solar energy during the hot summer months. It is therefore the principle objective of the present invention to provide an mechanism to prevent heat buildup in the attic.

[0006] A cloth like synthetic material is stretched over the roof during the summer months to shield it from the sun. The smooth, light-colored, reflective surface of this material shall reflect most of the solar energy back and prevent it from reaching the roof. The air gap between the reflective material and the roof will further insulate the roof from the solar heat. Since the covered roof will now remain much cooler than it would otherwise, it will prevent the attic air from heating up to the same extent, as it would have without the benefit of this invention. The temperature buildup within the attic will also have a lower gradient. Both of these factors combine to allow the household air conditioner to run for shorter durations in order to achieve a given lower temperature. This results in lower cooling energy bills and conservation of energy.

[0007] Another incidental benefit of the present invention is that it shields the roof from rain if the synthetic material is waterproof. This may mitigate water damage to the house if the roof has leaks in it.

Problems solved by technology

Roof shingles are typically dark and rough and easily absorb solar heat.

This results in lower cooling energy bills and conservation of energy.

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