There are many advancements in building materials that assist in
saving money and energy. Though research on this topic was initially
launched for energy preservation purposes, it also helps in saving money
as well as preserving environment.
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has determined that nearly $40 billion is spent to air
condition buildings in US, which amounts to one-sixth of the total
electricity generated annually. In order to cut down these costs, EPA
has come up with different roof materials and plans.
Roofing
products should meet two specific conditions namely (1) They must be
reflective, referring to the amount of light energy being reflected away
instead of absorbing and (2) They must have high emissivity, referring
to the quickness of how the absorbed energy is emitted into the
atmosphere again.
By research, it has been found that light colors
are effective in reduction of peak demand for cool energy in buildings.
Normally, the roof system is the heavily exposed part of a building to
sun and it tends to absorb energy, serving as a large heat sink. Hence
based on the color of the roof and its reflective nature, the
temperature rise within the roofing system can be altered. When the roof
is enveloped by a white reflective material similar to a single ply
membrane, plenum air space temperature lowers to 90ºF unlike 120ºF in
the case of dark-colored roofs.
The building owners will be able
to save between 20 and 70% of the cooling energy used in the building.
These reflective roof coatings can also slow down the aging process of
the underlying roof materials, thus contributing to savings in roof
replacements. Reflective roofs along with insulation can lower the
energy consumption drastically. In addition, if it is a low-slope roof,
it is more beneficial.
Owing to less heat being absorbed by the
roof, energy consumption as well as thermal shock is minimized. Since
less heat is absorbed and even the absorbed heat is emitted back, the
energy or fuel necessary to air condition the building is reduced.
Another
type of roof that helps in saving money and energy is a green roof,
which comprises a vegetative layer grown on the rooftop. Such a roof is
able to offer shade and avoid heat through evapotranspiration, leading
to reduction of temperatures of roof surface as well as surrounding air.
These roofs act as insulators, thus reducing the demand for energy
necessary to cool and heat the building. Therefore, based on the nature
of roof materials, money can be saved.
Learn how environmentally-friendly green roof systems can
earn your business tax credits and save you thousands of dollars in
energy bills each year! Roof Solutions LLC commercial
roofing services provide quality roof construction and repair that
can help your business save money.
Stefano Grossi
Roof
Solutions LLC
404-352-0000
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stefano_Grossi
