Roof Coatings in a New Light
Part 1: Roof Coatings: New Set of Specification Questions
Part 2: Roof Coatings: Advanced Formulations Improve Durability
Part 3: Roof Coatings: Pay Attention to Green Claims
Part 4: Roof Coatings: Online Calculators Quantify Energy Savings
Roof Coatings: Online Calculators Quantify Energy Savings
By Dan Hounsell, Editor - March 2010
More than ever, maintenance and engineering managers need hard data when making the case that a certain type of roof coating will bring both bottom-line and green benefits to their organizations.
Many roof coatings manufacturers offer their own software or mathematical models to aid in this effort. They also point customers to additional resources.
"Facility managers are asking for specific information about how cool-roof solutions can qualify for incentives," says Kate Baumann, director of marketing, customer service, and procurement with Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc. "We refer them to www.dsireusa.org."
The Web site houses the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), a comprehensive source of information about state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Online calculators can help managers quantify the energy savings benefits of reflective roof coatings on a specific building. Two such resources come from the U.S. Department of Energy — www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/facts/CoolCalcPeak.htm — and the Energy Star¨ program — www.roofcalc.com.
The roofing calculator estimates annual energy savings for typical building types with non-metallic-surfaced roofs using typical weather conditions. Actual savings differ based on building design, building operation, cooling and heating equipment, and local weather.
