Development of a simplified light reflectance value assessment tool for indoor surface coverings

Abstract

Light reflectance value (LRV) of indoor surfaces impacts on electricity consumption for lighting. For this reason, inner surface reflectance is one of the parameters required by building energy efficiency codes and standards. In countries with advanced building energy certification processes, the LRV of coatings and paints is given by manufacturers. However, at regional and local level, these data are generally not available. In this context, the following problem arises: regional standards demand certifiers to determine the LRV of interior surfaces for the calculation of electric energy consumption by artificial lighting without proposing any tool or methodology for its calculation. Against this background, the main objective of the present work is to develop a simplified and low cost tool for the determination of LRV of inner surfaces materials. The methodology used is divided into three stages: (i) data (LRV, colour, type of material) collection, systematization and classification of materials; (ii) statistical analysis; (iii) development of the surface material card. Results show that a sample of the same material and colour may show variations in its LRV of up to 86%. This highlights the importance of the development of methods and tools, according to socio-technological contexts, for the determination of the LRV.