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Understand the Energy Star Label for Roofing
October 22, 2009
Today’s tip is about understanding and using the Energy Star label for roofing products. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, which runs the Energy Star program, Energy Star-labeled roofs can reduce peak cooling demand by as much as 15 percent.
To be Energy Star labeled, a low-sloping roofing product – that is one that is applied to a roof with a slope of 2:12 or less – must have an initial reflectance of 65 percent, and a three-year weathered reflectance of 50 percent. For steep slope roofing, the initial solar reflectance must be 25 percent and 15 percent after three years of weathering.
According to EPA, there are four main benefits to using Energy Star-labeled roofs on your buildings. 1) Energy Star-labeled roofs save money on energy costs, because less heat is transferred into the building, meaning the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard. 2) Cooling equipment could possible be downsized because not as much cooling capacity may be required. 3) On a macro level, there will be decreased pollution in urban areas, because less energy is needed to be produced at fossil fuel-burning power plants, and 4) Increased roof life, because a cooler roof has to endure less thermal stress.