Project Description

Monitored building experiments in California and Florida, and computer simulations have shown that solar-reflective, or "cool" roofing can reduce annual cooling energy use by 10-60%. Given the potential energy and pollution savings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has considered cool roofs as a candidate for voluntary labeling through their Energy Star program.

Energy Star programs are designed for maximum benefit to interested parties: manufacturers benefit from increased sales of their product, consumers save money and EPA and consumers prevent pollution. Thus, program design requires collection of market data, such as annual sales of various roofing materials, regional distributions of sales, sales trends, market barriers, and estimates of potential energy bill savings from cool roofs.

Project Staff

Sarah Bretz

Jonathan Koomey

Rich Brown

Key Data

Measured savings: cooling energy only

Simulation results: new single-story home with gas furnace

Simulation results: single story new single-story home with heat pump

Low and High Solar-Reflectance Options for Typical Roofing Materials

Publications

Other Resources

Energy Star energy conservation energy savings energy efficiency environment climate change weatherization solar energy appliances energy audit energy tools efficient buildings energy education heating cooling heat pumps furnaces boilers air conditioners insulation ducts skylights windows thermostats fuel switching mechanical ventilation water heater water heating refrigerator freezer dishwasher clotheswasher clothes dryer miscellaneous energy home energy comfort remodeling residential energy.