ABSTRACT• A new algorithm has been developed for calculating the thermal radiant temperature of the sky. It is based on a simple empirical and theoretical model of clouds, together with a correlation between clear sky emissivity and the surface dewpoint temperature. Hourly sky temperatures have been calculated based on Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) weather data sets. A summary of the results is presented for calculations made at 193 TMY sites within the continental United States. The results are displayed in the form of monthly contour maps, histograms, and graphs for the purpose of determining regions of the country in which the radiative cooling of buildings appears to be a promising heat rejection strategy.

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