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Abstract
With the rising global concerns over energy consumption, today’s roofing assemblies are being reassessed for their potential energy performance. Several strategies have been considered and incorporated with varying results, raising debates throughout the roofing industry. With insulation levels in roofing assemblies influenced by geographic region membrane color has not been a subject of thorough consideration. The California model of focusing on reflective membranes and lesser insulation seems to be unwisely suggested with disregard to consequence. This paper will focus on recent initiatives, from increasing insulation R-values to adapting the correct color of membrane. Several energy graphs depicting energy consumption, cost and carbon footprint in various geographic regions, as well as the performance of reflective membranes versus black material will be discussed. Various computer models used to compute energy performance will be reviewed along with life cycle costing approach. The consequence of the energy-focused approach, while dismissing essential roofing principles, will be defined and measured, and recommendations and strategies to conserve energy and increase the return on investment will be an area of great focus.
With the rising global concerns over energy consumption, today’s roofing assemblies are being reassessed for their potential energy performance. Several strategies have been considered and incorporated with varying results, raising debates throughout the roofing industry. With insulation levels in roofing assemblies influenced by geographic region membrane color has not been a subject of thorough consideration. The California model of focusing on reflective membranes and lesser insulation seems to be unwisely suggested with disregard to consequence. This paper will focus on recent initiatives, from increasing insulation R-values to adapting the correct color of membrane. Several energy graphs depicting energy consumption, cost and carbon footprint in various geographic regions, as well as the performance of reflective membranes versus black material will be discussed. Various computer models used to compute energy performance will be reviewed along with life cycle costing approach. The consequence of the energy-focused approach, while dismissing essential roofing principles, will be defined and measured, and recommendations and strategies to conserve energy and increase the return on investment will be an area of great focus.
Date
4/2009
4/2009
Author(s)
Samir Ibrahim
Samir Ibrahim
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
energy performance; reflective membrane;
energy performance; reflective membrane;