ENERGY STAR FAQ

What are the benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified roof products?Benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified roof products include:

Saves Money and Energy: According to EPA, about $40 billion is spent annually in the US to air condition buildings — one-sixth of all electricity generated in a year! ENERGY STAR qualified roof products reduce the amount of air conditioning needed in buildings, and can reduce energy bills by up to 50 percent.

Downsizes Cooling Equipment: A reflective roof can reduce peak cooling demand by 10-15%. As a result, the home or building owner may be able to purchase a smaller, more efficient, and less expensive cooling system.

Decreases Pollution in Urban Areas: Reduced energy demand means less burning of fossil fuels, which results in less pollution from power plants. Also, ENERGY STAR qualified roof products help to reduce the “heat island effect,” in which dark, heat-absorbing buildings and paved areas make the air in urban areas hotter, and more smoggy.

Increases Roof Product Life: ENERGY STAR qualified roof products maintain a more constant temperature and reduce thermal shock, which occurs when cool rain hits a hot roof, causing a sharp drop in temperature. During temperature changes, a roof expands and contracts, causing stress and degrading the roof.

How much can businesses expect to save by installing ENERGY STAR qualified roof products?

Energy savings from installing ENERGY STAR qualified roof products will depend on the geographic location and climate where it is installed, existing insulation levels in the building, the type of roof it replaces, the type of roof installed, and how well it is kept clean and maintained. In general, cooling energy savings can be as high as 50 percent. Additionally, a reflective roof can reduce peak cooling demand by 10 to 15 percent. As a result, building owners may be able to purchase smaller, less expensive HVAC systems.

How can I find ENERGY STAR qualified roof products?

The ENERGY STAR label will appear on roof product packaging and advertisements. If you are installing or replacing a roof on a commercial or residential building, be sure to ask your roofing contractor or manufacturer about ENERGY STAR. Find a list of ENERGY STAR qualified roof product manufacturers.

For answers to more questions, and more detailed information visit their website at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roof_prods.pr_roof_faqs#s6