Home | Online Resources | UB Catalog | Campus Libraries | About UB Libraries | Forms | Search | Help

Saving With ENERGY STAR® - Labeled Roof Products

EPA / DOE — SAVING THE EARTH. SAVING YOUR MONEY.

Why Buy ENERGY STAR®?

To Save the Earth
In the US, most electricity is generated by the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas. When these fuels are burned, they create air pollution that contributes to global warming and causes Smog, acid rain, and respiratory disease.

ENERGY STAR-compliant roof products reflect the sun's heat and prevent it from entering a home or building, thereby reducing the amount of electricity needed to run air conditioning and maintain indoor comfort. As a home or building owner, choosing ENERGY STAR-labeled roof products will he!p you stay comfortable and help the environment.

To Save Money
Wasted energy not only harms the environment, it also inflates energy bills. Building owners alone spend approximately $40 billion each year to air condition buildings. But, ENERGY STAR-labeled roof products reduce the amount of air conditioning needed in homes or buildings and can reduce accompanying energy bills by up to 50 percent. In fact, for a typical home in the South, installing an ENERGY STAR-labeled roof product could save the homeowner at least $600 over the product's lifetime.

How a Roof Product Qualifies for the Energy Star Label

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) promote the use of products that help save energy by awarding the ENERGY STAR label, the symbol for energy efficiency. Roof products that meet or exceed reflectivity criteria, without compromising product quality and performance, qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. Manufacturers voluntarily sign agreements with EPA allowing them to place the ENERGY STAR label on the packaging of compliant roof products. They also can use the label in product promotions and advertising for qualified products.

How to Find Energy Star-Labeled Products

For roof products, the ENERGY STAR label will appear on 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. For a list of ENERGY STAR-labeled roof products and manufacturers, call the toll-free ENERGY STAR Hotline at 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Benefits of ENERGY STAR-Labeled Roof Products

The ENERGY STAR label helps make purchasing decisions easier. Installing ENERGY STAR-labeled roof products has the following benefits:

• Cost and Energy Savings-ENERGY STAR-labeled roof products decrease the amount of air conditioning needed to cool a home or building, reducing energy use and monthly cooling bills.
  
  
• Downsized A/C Equipment--A reflective roof can reduce peak cooling demand by 10-15 percent. As a result, the home or building owner may be able to purchase a smaller, more efficient, and less expensive cooling system.
  
  
• Lowered Surrounding Air Temperature-As more homes and businesses in communities install reflective roofs, the overall surrounding air temperature and cooling demand of the community will decrease.
  
  
• Decreased Pollution in Urban Areas-Roofs made of non-reflective products cause the temperature of the air passing over them to rise, resulting in an increase in the overall temperature of the area, also known as a "heat island effect." The elevated temperature leads to increased building and vehicle air conditioning demand, increased levels of smog, and the associated increased incidence of heat and smog-related health problems. Because ENERGY STAR-labeled roof products lower surrounding air temperature and decrease necessary cooling demands, they reduce the amount of smog in the air and benefit the entire community.

ENERGY STAR-Labeled Roof Products

ENERGY STAR-compliant roof products for homes or buildings meet specifications based on the products' solar reflectance-the percentage of solar radiation reflected by a surface. The products must be tested to ensure that they meet criteria for both initial solar reflectance and the maintenance of that reflectance over time.

Commonly Asked Questions

Will installing an ENERGY STAR-compliant roof product save me money no matter where I live?
Homes and buildings located in hot and sunny climates will realize the greatest energy and cost savings. So, people living in these southern geographic areas that use more air conditioning will see greater reductions in their energy bills than people living elsewhere in the country.

Will I save money by using reflective roof products if my home or building already has a high level of insulation?
An energy-efficient home or building has both reflective roof surfaces and adequate insulation. But, you will notice greater savings on your cooling bills if you install ENERGY STAR-labeled roof products on a building with a lower level of roof insulation. For more information on how to determine the Optimum level of insulation (R-value) for maximum savings, consult the ENERGY STAR Insulation Guide and your roofing contractor.

Can I expect the same level of savings over the entire lifetime of my roof?
Due to normal wear and tear, some degradation of roof reflectivity can be expected, particularly within the first few years after installation. Flat roofs may accumulate more dirt and debris because their slope is not great enough to allow washing by rain run-off. Following maintenance procedures minimizes degradation and maximizes energy savings. Consult your roofing contractor or product manufacturer to learn more about recommended maintenance procedures and schedules.

How Do I Learn More?

To help you find out more about ENERGY STAR-labeled roof products, EPA offers ENERGY STAR Roof Products Program fact sheets. For more information about all products that carry the ENERGY STAR label, please call the toll-free ENERGY STAR Hotline at 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

ENERGY STAR is a program of:

US Environmental Protection Agency
ENERGY STAR Programs
1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937)

US Department of Energy
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC)
1-800-DOE-EREC (1-800-363-3732)

Visit ENERGY STAR at:
www.energystar.gov

EPA
US Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation
Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division (6202J)
401 M St. SW
Washington, DC 20460

OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300