Roofs are another source of building energy loss, but roofing design and materials can help to reduce the amount of cooling required in certain climates by reflecting solar heat rather than absorbing it. Roof systems may contribute to up to 33% of building losses, depending on the building type and climate zone in which it is located. High performance roof systems and technologies are available the market that can help reduce the building losses through the roofs and help in designing high performance commercial building.
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Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning account for roughly 37% of all the energy used in commercial buildings, a large percentage of which routinely escapes as heat through the building envelope. Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) are a promising technology that present opportunities to mitigate those losses, especially in regions with extreme climates and high utility costs.
This toolkit features webinars presented by the Better Buildings Alliance and Oak Ridge National Laboratory that focus on advancing the latest innovations for roofs on commercial buildings.
Other Resources
Calculator
A review of problems created by infiltration and exfiltration in buildings, and the design considerations of an air barrier system to control the problems.
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Whole Building Design Guide
This resource page covers basic concepts for specifying window and glazing systems, particularly energy-efficient windows.Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA)
ARMA is a trade association representing the majority of North America's asphalt roofing manufacturing companies, plus their raw material suppliers.Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA)
The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) is the national trade association representing the manufacturers of asphaltic and solar reflective roof coatings and the suppliers to the roof coatings industry.New Buildings Institute
NBI assesses technologies, promotes design approaches, and helps guide policies and programs that will significantly improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings.Green Proving Ground - GSA : Building Envelope
The Green Proving Ground program has commissioned Department of Energy National Laboratories to perform real-world measurement and verification of the following technologies in pilot installations in federally-owned buildings.American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
ASHRAE and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry.Cool Roof Rating Council
CRRC provides accurate and credible methods for evaluating and labeling the solar reflectance and thermal emittance (radiative properties) of roofing products.Single Ply Roofing Industry
SPRI is an excellent resource for building owners, architects, engineers, specifiers, contractors and maintenance personnel, providing objective information about commercial roofing components and systems.RCI
RCI, Inc. is an international nonprofit association of professionals who specialize in roofing, waterproofing, and exterior wall specification and design. From sprayed polyurethane foam to cedar shakes, from parking garages to air barriers, RCI has a member expert for every type of roof, exterior wall, or waterproofing issue in the world today.Heat Island Group
The Heat Island Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory works to cool buildings, cities, and the planet by making roofs, pavements, and cars cooler in the sun.