Physics Reveals the Optimal Roof Ratios for Home Energy Efficiency
In a recent study inspired by ancient Italian architecture, Duke professor Adrian Bejan explored how the shape of a roof affects a building’s ability to retain heat—an insight rooted in physics but with major implications for energy efficiency today. Using thermodynamic principles, Bejan and collaborator Pezhman Mardanpour found that specific roof proportions—commonly seen in centuries-old structures—naturally minimize heat loss by controlling airflow within attics. This research not only sheds light on how ancient builders may have intuitively optimized for energy conservation, but also offers a low-cost, physics-based strategy to improve modern building design. Supporting this kind of foundational, curiosity-driven research at universities can unlock new ways to make today’s infrastructure more energy-efficient, reducing long-term energy costs and environmental impact.
This research was supported by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research
