Modern residential roofs in Malaysia mainly employ red and brown roof tiles due to aesthetic factors and the ability of the roof surface to reflect or retard heat transfer is typically not considered the main priority. The present article reveals the findings of a study on the effect of roof tile colour on heat conduction transfer through roof tiles and ceiling boards, roof-top surface temperature and cooling load. Findings suggest that the selection of white roof tiles significantly reduces the peaks of heat conduction transfer and roof-top surface temperature as well as the values of heat conduction transfer and roof-top surface temperature throughout diurnal profiles, which consequently reduces hours of indoor thermal discomfort and use of air-conditioners in indoor spaces. A decline in peak roof-top surface temperature of up to 16.00 °C that results in annual energy savings of up to 13.14% can be achieved when the roof tile colour is changed from red to white. Further research on the development of solar-reflective paint or coating products that can significantly increase the solar reflectance values of non-white roof tiles are essential to overcome issues related to maintenance difficulties and lack of preference among house buyers towards white roof tiles.

The concept of a sustainable environment generally refers to the development that creates a balance between the resources consumption pattern and the rate of depletion of natural resources. For determining the level of sustainability of any project, three types of impacts are assessed: economic, environmental, and social. This paper presents an analytical study that focused on establishing a correlation of eco-efficiency index for low-rise reinforced concrete residential housing in Malaysia. A statistical technique using the response surface method was performed, with the help of design expert software. The data was verified using regression analysis and represented by R2 value, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. By using economic factors, environmental factors, and the eco-efficiency index, 3D model graphs were developed for structural concrete containing fly ash, and blast furnace slag (BFS), which was assigned to the structural members in a single and double story housing. The study has concluded that the correlations established between the cost and carbon emission, economic & environmental scores, and the eco-efficiency index have shown a linear trend for single story housing and a cubic for the double story housing.