Energy efficiency is more than just a buzzword — it’s a necessity for businesses in Florida where extreme weather can take a toll on commercial properties and high cooling costs can take a toll on profit margins. An energy saving roof not only reduces electricity bills but also supports sustainability efforts, improves indoor comfort, and extends your roof’s lifespan. The even better news? You don’t need to start from scratch to achieve these benefits.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade an existing roof or install new energy-efficient solutions, this guide will show you how to transform your roof into an energy-saving asset.
You probably know from experience that a black road is going to be much hotter under a scorching summer sun than a concrete path is. It’s not the material that makes the biggest difference though — it’s the colour. So, colour is a great place to start when you want to improve the energy efficiency of your roof.
Light-colored roofs, especially those with white or highly reflective coatings, are the most energy efficient because they reflect sunlight rather than absorbing it. This keeps your building cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning. But not all light colours are created equal.
For example, a white ‘cool roof’ reflective coating can lower roof temperatures by up to 55°F on sunny days compared with a gray roof! This reduction translates directly into lower energy consumption and utility costs.
The more sunlight a roof reflects, the less heat is transferred to the building. Reflective materials combined with lighter colors make a measurable difference in energy savings — often a 10-20% reduction in cooling costs in hot climates like Florida — potentially even up to 40% according to some reports.
Advanced energy efficiency solutionsWhile roof colour has a significant impact on a building’s energy efficiency, it’s not the only thing that can impact on energy efficiency. To understand all the ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your roof, you first need to understand how energy efficiency is measured.
The energy efficiency of cool roofs is measured by two key factors:
A white roof will have good solar reflectance because white things reflect a lot of light. However, the thermal emittance depends on the material the roof is made from, not just its color. So, for maximum energy efficiency, you need a roof that has a good SR as well as a good TE.
The Berkley National Laboratory has developed a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI), which makes it easier to compare the various materials and coatings that can be used to create an energy efficient roof. The higher the SRI, the better.
Replacing your roof with materials that have a better thermal emittance is one way to improve the energy efficiency of your roof (in addition to choosing a white material). But not everyone wants or needs to replace their roof. So, if you just want to upgrade your existing roof, you can add a specially designed ‘cool roof’ coating that has both a high SR and a high TE.
Here at Troyer Commercial Roofing, we specialize in applying Conklin’s cool roof coatings. To give you an idea of how energy efficient these coatings are, asphalt roofs have an SRI of 3, a roof with an aluminized coating will have an SRI of 55, and Conklin’s cool roof coating has an SRI of 107. We especially like the Conklin coatings because they’re durable and withstand weather extremes such as the hurricanes we often experience here in Florida. They also extend the life of the roofs they’re applied to, meaning a commercial building will need fewer roof replacements over the life of the building.
Another way to prevent your building from heating up under a baking sun is to insulate the roof (and other parts of the structure). This reduces the amount of heat that gets transmitted into the building. It also has the added benefit of preventing heat from being released from the building during winter, so it also reduces heating costs.
There’s been a lot of chatter in some sections of the media about green roofs (roofs covered in vegetation). Yes, green roofs can save money over time by improving insulation and reducing the need for heating and cooling. While installation costs are higher (there needs to be a lot of reinforcement to hold all that soil and water, not to mention the cost of the materials and the specialist installation service), businesses can benefit from:
Although green roofs aren’t ideal for every commercial building, they might be worth considering as a long-term energy-saving solution. However, be aware they take a lot of maintenance — you’ve got to keep all those plants watered and thriving if you’re to maintain the benefits from such roofs. While green roofs look pretty cool, for most businesses, the most cost-effective and reliable long-term solution is a cool roof.
An energy saving roof will make your business more sustainable, make your premises more comfortable, reduce your running expenses, and help your property withstand Florida’s demanding climate. There are several ways to transform your existing roof into an energy-efficient, energy-saving roof:
One of the simplest ways to upgrade your roof with two of these solutions is to apply an energy saving cool roof coating, such as that made by Conklin. These coatings have a high SR and TE value. Benefits include:
Take the first step toward lower energy bills and a more sustainable business. Schedule a free roof inspection with our roofing experts and discover how you save up to 40% on your cooling costs while also extending your roof’s lifespan.
