Green Roof Reduce Air Conditioning Costs

While utility costs vary between cities the national research council of canada estimates a green roof can reduce air conditioning use by up to 75 percent.

Green roof reduce air conditioning costs.

While it is difficult to calculate the savings as utility costs vary from city to city the national research council of canada estimates a green roof can reduce air conditioning use in a building. Green roofs also provide insulation lower the need for heating and cooling and can reduce the urban heat island effect. And comparing the expected cost of a conventional roof with the cost of a 21 000 square foot green roof a 2006 study from the university of michigan found that over its lifetime a green roof would save about 200 000 with almost two thirds of that in energy. But according to the national research council of canada a green roof can reduce air conditioning.

The exact amount of savings is difficult to calculate as utility costs vary from state to state. Labor makes up a significant portion of the cost of a green roof mostly because the process of creating one can be labor intensive. 1 3 these temperature reduction and energy efficiency benefits are a key contributor to the growing popularity of green roofs in the. This occurs because evapotranspiration from greenroof plants and media cools the roof surface.

Costs of a green roof tray system range from 10 to 30 per square foot. Over its estimated lifespan of 40 years a green roof would save about 200 000 of which nearly two thirds would come from reduced energy costs. The economic benefits of any individual green roof will however depend on its design geographic location surroundings and the building itself. Data we have collected at the penn state center for green roof research suggests that green roofs can significantly reduce air conditioning costs to the consumer and most likely reduce the associated peak demand on the utility.

1 2 in addition green roofs can reduce building energy use by 0 7 compared to conventional roofs reducing peak electricity demand and leading to an annual savings of 0 23 per square foot of the roof s surface. Labor costs to install a green roof. This roof type can be much more expensive to implement than other efficient roof options so you should carefully assess your property and consult a professional before deciding to install a green roof. Another benefit to using a solar roof system is that they can collect and heat your hot water for even more cost savings over the lifetime of the roof.

Used in conjunction with solar instead of electric attic fans an attic s temperature can be lowered by 50 which can save a homeowner or business owner up to 30 on their air conditioning.