|
|
Why Replace 100% of Your Roof ... When Only
10% Is The Problem?
 |
 "For When It's Not A
New Roof You Need, But A Better Roof!" |
|
|
 |
Add Energy
Savings to Your
Roof System
Edited by:
D.S. Parker
Principal Research Scientist
Florida Solar Energy Center
(University of Central Florida)
An overview:
Minor roofing modifications can
enable economic paybacks.
|
|
|
|
|
It is now clear that substantial energy savings can be had
with attention to choosing the proper roof surface - and this
can be achieved with simple methods that also address your other
roofing needs.
The primary purpose associated with Topps' systems is roof
construction savings through maintenance and preservation. Significantly,
there is also a documented, substantial energy savings benefit
when a highly reflective solar white surface is introduced. In
a study funded by the U.S. Department of Energy at Lawrence Berkeley
Laboratory, test results show air conditioning energy use
can be reduced by up to 50% compared to a previously uncoated
metallic roof surface.
These cooling energy consumption reductions are impressive.
When choosing the best or correct white material for the roof
surface, other factors such as window openings, interior heat
generation, and type of use, will modify the resulting energy
savings. In the same tests for example, air conditioning energy
consumption was reduced to approximately 40%, when a white roof
is compared to a dark colored roof.
|
Savings Also Occur on Insulated Roofs
The importance of this factor is also evident on an insulated
roof. In a study performed in Mississippi, two identical side-by-side
commercial office buildings were monitored for summertime air
conditioning consumption. R-11 insulation was a roofing component
installed in both buildings. The roof of one of the buildings
was coated with reflective white. Outcome: Air conditioning
was further reduced by 21.9% during summer months in the building
with the reflective white roof.
These substantial savings favor highly energy efficient finishes.
A similar experiment performed for Florida Power & Light company
on seven retail shops in a strip mall showed a 25% reduction
in measured space cooling after the metal roof was treated. Consequently,
the more air conditioning energy consumed, the greater the long-term
cost recovery will be with a highly solar reflective material
like TOPPS SEAL™. This can
be a significant factor, because the longer the roof remains
in service, the greater the payback in energy savings.
|
|
|
|
“ ... By far the most important
property (of the material composition of reflective roofing materials)
is their solar spectral reflectance ...” |
|
|
 |
|
The Choice is Compelling
Research is increasingly revealing significant cost recoveries
as a result of selecting the appropriate rooftop protection.
Additional results from testing performed in Florida by the Florida
Solar Energy Center, the Atlas Weathering Services Group DSET
Laboratores, and others, confirm the findings.
In one of the
most crucial factors of all, solar reflectivity, TOPPS SEAL™ produces among the highest of energy
returns.
When selecting a system, strongly weight the above to maximize
your annual energy savings. The cumulative savings can be greater
than one might expect. While no one can guarantee a specific
energy savings, picking the product with the greatest performance
can assure greatest long-term savings. Weatherproofing, seam
and fastener protection and reinforcement of your roof system
are most critical. Added substantial recoveries can be repeated
year after year when a highly rated solar reflective material
like TOPPS SEAL™ is chosen.
From D.S. Parker of the Florida Solar Energy Center:
| ". . . By far the most important
property (of the material composition of reflective roofing materials)
is their solar spectral reflectance as evaluated by ASTM Test
E-903 (the best materials will have integrated solar reflectance
of 80% or better). Of secondary importance is their long-wave
infrared emissivity (evaluated by ASTM E-408) with larger values
(>90%) being desirable. Another important property, yet one
which can-not yet be quantified, is their resistance to soiling
and microbial growth. Generally, |
|
|
the former will be enhanced by a smooth surface
(e.g. ceramic particles will increase dirt/dust retention) although
roof slope is a major factor.
Ceramic beads, and their reported insulating
qualities are unimportant, in my view, in terms of cooling performance.
Solar reflectance, is, however, all important. And the very whitest
materials will have this aspect."
|
As shown by these tests a choice of TOPPS SEAL™
will provide superior solar reflectance and maximize energy savings
attainable by solar reflective membrane systems.
REFERENCES
- Bretz, S. and Akban, H. 1993 Durability of High Albedo
Coatings, LBL-34974, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Berkeley,
CA.
- Boulwell C.J. and Salinas, Y., 1986 "Building for the
Future-Phase I: An Energy Saving Materials Research Project,"
Mississippi Power Company, Rohm and Haas Company and the University
of Southern Mississippi.
- Parker, Danny S. and Barkaszi, Stephen F., Jr., 1994, Roof
Solar Reflectance and Cooling Energy Use, Research Results from
Florida, FSEC-PF-274-94, Florida Solar Energy Center, Cape
Canaveral, Florida.
- Eolf, Kathleeen R., and McGreer, Matt, 1997, Total Emittance
and Hemispherical Spectral Reflectance Test Report, Report
No. 4908000, Atlas Weathering Services Group DSET Laboratories,
Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, Florida.
- Note from D.S. Parker to Topps Products 12/31/96.
|
|
printer-friendly version |
 |
|
 |
|
