Metal's Energy Efficient Roofing with Energy Star Benefits

Energy Star Roofing for an Energy Efficient Roof

Americans spend about $40 billion annually to air condition buildings – which equates to about one sixth of all electricity generated in this country. Studies conducted by the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have shown that energy efficient metal roofing materials with Energy Star certified high reflectance paint systems can save you up to 40% on energy cooling costs when compared to typical asphalt roofing shingles.

Your typical dark asphalt roofing shingle absorbs most of the sun's energy that hits the roof, consequently making your attic a very hot place during the summer months. On the contrary, energy efficient metal roofs that are Energy Star certified works by reflecting a high percentage of the sun’s energy back into the atmosphere, lowering attic temperatures and subsequent cooling loads making your roof energy efficient.

Union offers several energy efficient metal roof colors that are Energy Star certified. In order to meet Energy Star roofing criteria, the energy efficient metal roof has to have a total solar energy reflectance of at least 25%, which means that the Energy Star energy efficient metal roof reflects 25% of the sun's energy. In general, lighter energy efficient metal roof colors have better reflectivity, with Energy Star roofing colors such as white having a reflectivity that exceeds 60% making your Energy Star roof energy efficient. Furthermore, energy efficient metal roofs that are Energy Star certified have to maintain a reflectance of at least 15% after three years of real-world exposure testing. The higher the reflectance of the Energy Star certified metal roofs, the more energy efficient and more money you can potentially save. You can find out which energy efficient metal roof colors are Energy Star certified by checking out the "Colors & Performance Grades" section on the home page.