The
Benefits of Aluminum Shingles for Energy Efficient Homes
The
following study compared aluminum shingles and other roofing
materials in creating energy efficient homes.
Roof
and attic thermal performance exert a powerful influence
on cooling energy use in Florida homes. Unshaded residential
roofs are heated by solar radiation causing high afternoon
attic air temperatures. The large influence on cooling is
due to increased ceiling heat transfer as well as heat gains
to the duct systems which are typically located in the attic
space (Figure E-1).
The
Florida Solar Energy Center instrumented side-by-side Habitat
homes in Ft. Myers, Florida with identical floor plans and
orientation, R-19 ceiling insulation, but with different
roofing systems designed to reduce attic heat gain. The
houses had the following roofing systems:
(RGS)
Standard dark shingles (control home)
(RWS) Light colored shingles
(RTB) Terra cotta S_tile roof
(RWM) White metal roof
All
seven houses were completed by June 26th, 2000 with extensive
testing to assure the buildings were similar. Each home
was monitored simultaneously from July 8th - 31st in an
unoccupied state.
The
maximum attic temperature during the peak summer hour is
40oF greater than ambient air temperature in the control
home while no greater than ambient with highly reflective
roofing systems like aluminum shingles. Light colored shingles
and terra cotta roofs show temperatures in between. Table
E-1 summarizes the metered data from the unoccupied period.
Table
E-1. Cooling Performance During Unoccupied Period July 8th
_ 31st, 2000
|
Site
|
Total
kWh
|
Savings
kWh
|
Save
Percent
|
Demand
kW
|
Savings
kW
|
Saved
Percent
|
|
RGS
(Control Home)
|
17.03
|
0.00
|
0.0%
|
1.63
|
0.00
|
---
|
| RWS |
15.29
|
1.74
|
10.2%
|
1.44
|
0.19
|
11.80%
|
| RTB |
16.02
|
1.01
|
5.9%
|
1.57
|
0.06
|
3.70%
|
| RWM |
12.03
|
5.00
|
29.4%
|
0.98
|
0.65
|
39.70%
|
In summary, this evaluation strongly confirms the energy-saving
benefits of using more reflective roofing systems in Florida.
Selection of colors with higher solar reflectance will result
in tangible cooling energy savings for customers. This is
particularly true for roofing materials such as tile and
metal which are currently available with solar reflectance's
of 65%-75%. The selection of reflective roofing systems
represents one of the most significant energy-saving options
for creating energy efficient homes. Such systems also
strongly reduce the cooling demand during utility coincident
peak periods and may be among the most effective methods
for controlling demand.
Reference
Publication:
Parker, D.S., J.K. Sonne, J.R. Sherwin, and N. Moyer, November
2000. "Comparative Evaluation of the Impact of Roofing
Systems on Residential Cooling Energy Demand." Contract
Report FSEC-CR-1220-00, Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa,
FL.
This
study proves Aluminum Shingles, that are lighter in color
will significantly reduce your home or business energy costs.
The Florida Power and Light Company sent out a press release
related to this study stating: "A white, galvanized
metal roof should save a customer who lives in an average-size
1,770 square foot homes approximately $128 or 23
% annually in cooling costs, compared with a dark
gray shingle roof on the same home". Aluminum shingles
are highly reflective and generally lighter in color (for
color options click here)
which helps create energy efficient homes.
Thank you for your interest in our Aluminum Lock shingles.
For estimates or further information contact us at:
Aluminum Lock Roofing Inc.
1950 South 900 West, Suite S2
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Or call Vardell or Jim at:
801.484.3321
1.800.658.5785
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time
Monday through Friday
Service@AluminumLockRoofing.com
