Six Truths About Cool Roofs

By GAF Roof Views 06-11-2021
QUICK SHARE
Tag Icon

Cool roofs can help save you money on energy bills* in the North as well as the South. Here are some cool truths to ponder when planning a new roof.*

TRUTH 1: It's All About Reflectivity

A cool roof reflects the sun's rays away from the roof, helping to reduce rooftop temperatures. While a sunlight-absorbing black roof can reach up to 190°F in the summer, a reflective roof's temperature can be as much as 55°F lower. Dark surfaces also contribute to the urban heat island effect. (SOURCE: heatisland.lbl.gov/coolscience/cool-roofs)

A cool roof reflects away the sun's rays, unlike a dark roof which absorbs them and transfers heat to the building below.

About Heating & Cooling Degree Days:

These units of measure describe how far the average daily temperature varies from a baseline of 65°F. Temperatures greater than 65°F are cooling-degree days, because we need to cool the environment back to 65°F. Heating-degree days occur when the temperature falls below 65°F.

TRUTH 2: On Average, Electricity Costs Up to 4 Times More, Per BTU, Than Natural Gas

If your building uses electric air conditioning and natural gas heat, a cool reflective roof can help lower your cooling costs* no matter where you are in the continental United States (including Northern States) by reducing the amount of air conditioning needed.

On average, electricity costs up to 4 times more, per BTU, than natural gas. Not only is electricity more expensive than gas, but the rate structures are more complex. Seemingly small increases in electricity use can result in large additional costs due to the compounding effects of time of demand charges based on a few peak minutes of electricity usage during each billing period.

How much could you be saving on energy bills? Find out by trying out our CREST energy calculator.

What are "Demand Charges?"

Simply put, demand charges are the immediate usage put on your energy system. Some electric companies charge commercial and industrial buildings a demand charge penalty based on a few peak minutes of electricity usage during each billing period. Buildings that use the most electricity at one time often get charged the largest penalty, which can be up to 30 -70% of their total electricity bill. Air conditioners, by their nature, surge electricity demand at peak times of the day. Cool roofs can help reduce the air conditioning needed by your building by eliminating the extra heat that would be absorbed by a black roof.

TRUTH 3: Dark Roofs Increase the Need for Air Conditioning

Dark roofs not only drive up monthly electricity-consumption costs, they can significantly increase demand charges as well. Less demand can mean less money spent to cool the building.*

TRUTH 4: A Black Roof Covered in Snow is White

Your roof's potential impact on building energy usage is based on the amount of sunlight reaching it, not on the ambient temperature. So even in regions with more "heating degree days" than "cooling degree days" a reflective cool roof can offset more hours of sunlight in summer than a dark roof can absorb to heat the building in winter; almost twice as many at the solstices. And, of course, during those long winter nights, sunlight is having no effect on your roof at all. Add to that the fact that a dark roof covered in snow is, effectively, a white reflective roof. A snow-covered black roof reflects the sun's rays but in the summer, it can become a heat-absorbing sponge.

Truth 5: A Properly Designed Roof Reduces the Risk of Condensation

A properly designed roof can offset condensation in a variety of ways, including using multiple layers of insulation with staggered joints, installing GAF SA Vapor Retarder, or installing a fully adhered system, to just name just a few options.

Truth 6: Cool Roofs are Changing the Roofing Industry

Commercial buildings are benefiting from cool roof savings throughout the USA, even in Northern climates, and that is fundamentally shifting the roofing marketplace. For example, EPDM was the most popular single-ply membrane in the industry in 2003. Today, TPO makes up over 50% of the single-ply market.

GAF offers a wide range of cool roofing technologies including:

Single-Ply — available in both TPO and PVC, single-ply membranes are among the most commonly installed roofing technologies due to the speed of installation and the variety of systems available.

Asphaltic — available in BUR, APP, and SBS, asphaltic systems are great, time-tested multi-ply systems that can be installed in a variety of systems.

Coatings — available in acrylics, silicones, urethanes, PMMAs, and PVDFs, the GAF line of coatings can preserve and restore existing roofs.

For more information on maintenance plans, guarantee extension details, or to be connected with a GAF maintenance professional, please visit our building owner and property manager resources page.



*Energy cost savings are not guaranteed and the amount of savings may vary based on climate zone, utility rates, radiative properties of roofing products, insulation levels, HVAC equipment efficiency, and other factors.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
More homes and businesses in the U.S. are protected by a GAF roof than by any other product. We are the leading roofing manufacturer in North America, with plants strategically located across the U.S. As a Standard Industries company, GAF is part of the largest roofing and waterproofing business in the world.
Don't miss another GAF RoofViews post!
LATEST UPDATES
Do you know the warning signs of poor ventilation in a house and attic? Proper ventilation is important in many ways and one of the first big things to know is that it can prolong the life of your roof system. It can also help lower your attic temperature and thereby reduce HVAC wear and tear, which may help lower utility bills and the likelihood of costly repairs. And last, but definitely not least, attic ventilation can help reduce the risk of mold, which can protect the health of your family. All-in-all, attic ventilation offers a long-term return on investment as well as potential preventative health benefits.
Michigan City has been home to a GAF manufacturing facility since 2000, supporting the community's residents through not only the nearly 200 jobs it provides but also countless hours of volunteering. The job creation and increased capacity for serving customers with the GAF Michigan City distribution center expansion is testimony to the company's dedication to building resilient communities.
Getting multiple professionals involved in a commercial roofing project offers a way to capture different perspectives—and to shine a light on some of the industry's hidden complexities—especially when it comes to challenging details like parapet walls.
Asphalt shingles are one of the most widely used roofing materials, providing an elegant yet effective look for homes while also being economical and easy to install. Here is what makes these shingles stand out from other roofing materials.
With an overall industry labor shortage, roofers are in high demand. Those contemplating a career in roofing should consider the training provided by the GAF Roofing Academy, where students can learn the skills and industrial knowledge they need to get started in the industry.
Commercial roof coatings can help extend the life and improve the aesthetics of low-slope roofs. A roof coating acts as the first line of defense against UV damage and water infiltration, and reflective roof coatings can help reduce the temperature of the roof.
This blog contains information created by a variety of sources, including internal and third party writers. The opinions and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of GAF. The content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute financial, accounting, tax or legal advice. GAF does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the information. In no event shall GAF be held responsible or liable for errors or omissions in the content or for the results, damages or losses caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the content.

Interested in sharing or republishing our content? We kindly ask you to adhere to our guidelines.