7.17.2012

Benefits of Green Roofs


Let me start out by saying I'm a big Green Roof fan.   While I will admit that there can be substantial up front cost with this type of system, it just makes good business sense.  Not only for your bottom line but the world in general.  Here are a few reasons to have one installed.


1)  Reduction of heating AND cooling loads:
Can reduce heating and cooling requirements by as much as 20 to 30 percent.  Cuts energy consumption.  A 3 to 7 degree temperature drop translates into a 10% reduction in air conditioning requirements.”

2)  Lengthen roof life by two to three times:
Increased life expectancy of the membrane because it is better protected from mechanical damage, UV-rays, hail and extreme temperature differences.

3)  Removal of nitrogen pollution in stormwater runoff:
Green roofs act as a bio-filtration devices that improve the quality of rainfall
runoff.   A green roof may also help defray site development costs associated with runoff water treatment.

4)  Reduction of heat island effect
The envelope of hot air that hovers over cities due to heat reflective material
and the lack of vegetation is known as the urban ‘heat island’ effect. It is the
aggregate of all the heat absorbed and generated by buildings, roads, vehicles,
HVAC systems, etc., and can result in cities being as much as 7 to 10 degrees
warmer than their suburban and rural counterparts….LBNL (Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory) scientists indicate that widespread heat-reduction measures,
such as planting rooftop vegetation, could easily lower a city’s temperature by
five degrees.”

5)  Reduction of carbon dioxide effect by Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Exchange:
Through the process of photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide, water and
sunlight/energy into oxygen and glucose. This cyclical process supplies animals
and humans with oxygen and food.

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