The ASE article, “Policy Outlook 2012: Bipartisan Package Poses Best Prospect for Energy Efficiency,” [http://ase.org/efficiencynews/policy-outlook-2012-bipartisan-package-poses-best-prospect-energy-efficiency] describes seven major policies with bipartisan support: “While several measures that promote energy efficiency are pending, Congress has the best chance of approving a bipartisan package that includes a broad energy efficiency proposal and an appliance standards bill. Such a package could drive consideration of other energy efficiency initiatives.”

Pending bipartisan legislation with the highest relevance to industry includes:

• Energy Savings & Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 1000): If enacted, S.1000 would greatly improve energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings, as well as in industry and manufacturing. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced S.1000 in May 2011. The Senate Energy Committee reported it in July with strong bipartisan support (18–3 vote); the bill is awaiting consideration in the House.
• National Implementation of Consensus Appliance Agreement Act (S. 398): If enacted, the bill would strengthen existing appliance standards and create standards for new technology. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced S. 398 in February 2011. The Senate Energy Committee reported it with strong bipartisan support (18–4 vote).
• Electric Consumer Right to Know, or e-KNOW, Act (S. 1029): E-KNOW would require utilities to provide customers and other third parties with their energy usage information, including data from smart meters. E-KNOW also would assist energy auditors, demand response aggregators and energy service providers in helping consumers reduce energy use. Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Scott Brown (R-Mass.) introduced S. 1029 in May 2011; the bill is under consideration in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
• Roofing Efficiency Jobs Act (H.R. 2962, S. 1575): This measure would incentivize energy-efficient commercial roof replacements by accelerating depreciation for new roofs with cool roof coatings and good insulation. Introduced in September 2011 by Representatives Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) in the House, and Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in the Senate, the bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means and senate Finance Committees for further consideration.

Can a whiter roof make your home cooler? What about your whole city?

The existing literature and theory suggests that increasing the albedo – or reflectiveness – of a building will reflect incoming sun light and associated heat, reducing the building’s cooling requirements and also reducing the “Urban Heat Island” effect. The City of Melbourne recently commissioned our team to look into whether these claims hold true for Melbourne’s climate.

The urban heat island (UHI) effect refers to the phenomenon whereby a metropolitan or built up area is significantly warmer than its surrounding areas. In some cases, the UHI effect makes average urban daytime air temperatures around 5-6°C higher than the surrounding rural areas in summer.

The urban heat island effect can be detected throughout the year, but it is of particular public policy concern during the summer. This is because higher surface air temperature is associated with air pollution, heat stress-related mortality and illness, and increases in electricity demand for air conditioning. For example, in Melbourne during the heat wave of February 2009 there were 374 “excess deaths” reported.

Many civilizations rely on white roofs to keep cool: will Australia join them?

Increased vegetation, higher albedo surfaces and higher albedo pavements are cited as the main opportunities to reduce this urban heat island effect. During a typical sunny day, there is approximately 1 kW/m² of solar radiation hitting a roof’s surface. Between 20% and 95% of this radiation is absorbed – the difference is based on the different roof colours. This massive heat load affects the microclimate around our cities. The thermal or long wave radiation reradiated from building surfaces affects air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed.

Akbari and Konopacki have calculated the how much energy – used for cooling – would be saved by heat island mitigation strategies. They looked at the application of cool materials and increases in vegetation cover for 240 regions in the United States. They found that for residential buildings, the cooling energy savings vary between 12% and 25%; for office buildings between 5% and 18%; and for commercial (retail stores) buildings between 7% and 17%.

Our Melbourne-based research tested four buildings in a suite of six full-scale buildings of approximately 12m². We also constructed a smaller half-scale building to help us look at things that are hard to test on a real building: what happens when the roof gets dirty; where best to put sensors; and taking thermal images. The building treatments included three different types of paint, a control and a “green roof” (which we’ll be reporting on later). Our results are available in the full report on the City of Melbourne website.

We found that for older buildings (those that do not meet current Building Code of Australia insulation requirements), the high albedo paints will always provide a significant reduction in cooling requirements and increased comfort. Those that benefit the most are industrial buildings such as warehouses, airports, shopping centres, factories and commercial buildings.

Residential buildings don’t benefit as much from white roofs.

Residential buildings show the least benefit. This is because homes need to be heated for a significant part of the year; painting the roof white loses the passive benefit of solar gain on the roof in winter (even if it’s minor). Further, when buildings have cooling systems on the roof, then the roof surface can be up to 40° cooler, leading to an efficiency benefit. That is, the system uses less energy to cool the air and the building requires less cooling because of the decreased solar gain in summer.

We looked at heat transfer, reflected energy off the roofs, internal ambient temperature, roof and ceiling temperatures and background weather data. We took into account variables such as insulation levels, paint tint and colour, roof pitch and overshadowing. All of these showed that there was still a benefit to using the white paint.

The only exception was a residence with R3.5 or greater insulation in the ceiling, because in Melbourne we spend 60% of the time heating and only 5-8% cooling. Under this scenario there was a benefit in summer but a cost in winter (though temperatures of twenty degrees or more can still build up in the roof cavity adding to the UHI).

This leads to the really interesting discussion which underpins this research. How does all this affect the larger context: urban heat islands, community benefits and the overall reduction of cooling energy use (and resulting greenhouse gas emission) across an entire city?

Our research, and that of the authors mentioned above, shows that there is a benefit to using the higher albedo treatments, green roofs and lighter roads and paths. The easiest and cheapest of these is paint. It will reduce cooling energy use, especially peak energy use. It will reduce the UHI and its associated health impacts. And it will lead to increased comfort.

To further enrich these findings we plan to continue our research for the next three years to look at different roofing materials, green roofs and photo-voltaic panel performance. We will also develop an urban microclimate model.

This article was originally published at The Conversation.
Read the original article.

Rooftop revenue generation is not a particularly new concept. Building owners and developers have been capitalizing on the idea for years with cellular antenna installations where cellular companies paid a small lease for rooftop space for their equipment. A rooftop can have antennas mounted on or above its parapet, on top of elevator shafts, and even have small flagpoles or rooftop cell towers mounted on them. They are usually less obtrusive from the ground level and can have less of a visual impact by deployed on an existing structure.

With all rooftop installations, it is important to consider structural and access issues before making the plunge. Rooftop leasing is often similar to cell tower leasing, however there is usually much less space for the transmission equipment. Furthermore, while wireless carriers or third party cell tower companies often own the tower, rooftop owners can lease space to multiple carriers and receive multiple income streams.

An issue inherent in rooftop leasing is the physical attachment of the equipment to the roof the building. Most lessees  will look for the easiest and least expensive way to install the equipment. Sometimes, this installation may void your roofing warranty; other times, it may cause leaking. Forcing a carrier to repair this kind of damage can be quite difficult, since the carrier may claim the roof was installed improperly when the building was originally constructed or renovated. Other issues you need to be concerned with include access and noise. Rooftop leasing usually requires that the carrier be allowed 24/7 access — although this is negotiable. Tenants in a residential building or condominium may not appreciate having a cell site technician coming through the building at all hours. Building owners may request the rooftop lease language contain certain limitations on the type of access so tenants are minimally impacted.

With the advent of energy deregulation and advances in solar and wind power generation, there are more options than ever to capitalize on the unused space over your head. Solar panels, wind turbines and other energy systems will provide not only tax credits and LEED points, they will also generate electricity that can be used to offset property utility costs. In some cases the energy can be sold by the property owner directly to tenants at retail (utility company) pricing.

While there is a good political and environmental argument for pursuing the installation of solar and wind generation devices, the property owners and developers bear the consequences (both positive and negative) for these installations. Pursuing alternative energy generation is not a decision to rush into if it means ongoing maintenance cost for buildings, or if the installation itself is prohibitive from a time/money/disruption standpoint. However, now that the government and large-scale investors have turned their attention to alternative energy, it may be time to take action.

• Unprecedented tax credits are motivating investors to install solar on large scale rooftops at no charge to the building owner, simply to package and sell the tax credits in the financial markets.
• Small-scale building owners can recoup the majority of their solar investment cost in rebates and grants within the first year of ownership, and generate revenue thereafter from selling electricity to tenants.
• Utilities are under pressure to use solar and wind energy in their Renewable Power Source (or Renewable Portfolio Standard — RPS) offerings. In 29 states they are likely to entertain higher rates for the electricity generated on roof tops.

RPS States in 2010, listed in alphabetical order: Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Another consideration is deregulation. Deregulated utilities create uncertainty in tenants’ revenue forecasts. In states with deregulated utilities, energy costs fluctuate at the discretion of the utility company. Tenants may appreciate fixed pricing for their energy for the next 20 years via wind or solar energy generation on the premises. For example, in Maryland (a deregulated state) utility rates have fluctuated by as much as 50 percent in a single rate hike. As energy demand increases 40 percent by 2035, more fluctuations in pricing are anticipated.

How it works for large roofs:

More often than not, large-scale solar arrays (one megawatt and above) are not purchased by the property owner or long-term tenant. Large scale arrays are installed at no cost to the property owner or long-term tenant by the local utility or a solar integrator. The energy generated is either: 1) sold back into the building at a fixed price for 20 years; or 2) sold directly into the local utility’s electrical grid at a fixed price for 20 years.

Who wants to rent your roof?
Your local utility company, solar integrators and private investors will be the most interested. Utilities are under pressure from state and federal governments to include both solar and wind power as part of their Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements (see RPS in Glossary). As policies change within our government to enforce the use of green energy, local utilities are looking for locations to install solar and wind generation stations.

Design and operating countermeasures that may be necessary to assure long-term roof integrity include the following:

1. PV system details should be accepted by the warranty roofing system manufacturer prior to installation.
2. In areas of high rain/snowfall, increase flashing heights and roof drainage provisions.
3. While PV systems are designed to withstand “normal” weather, they are not rated for hail, hurricanes, tornadoes or wind-blown debris. Repairs for damage sustained to the roof and the panels may require the temporary removal and reassembly of the rooftop PV system.
4. PV installations increase the service traffic on the roof. To accommodate these effects, install protective walkways, increase membrane thickness, and add protective cover boards.
5. To accommodate the effects of heat build-up and reflected ultra-violet frequently associated with PV systems, install a sacrificial membrane layer beneath the PV system to reduce heat build-up on the primary waterproofing membrane. Additionally, install additional membrane or coating layers at exposed vertical flashings to reduce UV exposure.
6. Modern roofing systems, regardless of the amount of robustness built into the system, must be well maintained over time to assure optimal service life is achieved.

CPS Energy is offering a rebate of $0.10 per square foot over conditioned spaces for reflective roof coatings. This rebate is only available for buildings with five stories or less. Review the guidelines and requirements needed to take advantage of this rebate.

This rebate only applies to building improvement or retrofit projects. It is not available for new construction projects.

Guidelines for Reflective Roof Product Rebates

The following guidelines must be met before a CPS Energy rebate can be approved and processed:

1. All rebate applications are subject to the general provisions including a site visit from CPS Energy personnel after completion of the project.

2. CPS Energy will provide rebates for all cool roofs meeting the reflectivity requirements in the program including installations replacing existing cool roof technology.

3. Rated reflectivity, test method of reflectivity and a copy of the receipt are required. The reflectiveness of the coating or the integrated, white, single-ply membrane must be measured by test method ASTM E424-71, ASTM E903-96 or a solar spectrum reflectometer. They also must have a minimum reflectivity of 75%.

4. Rebates are based on the square footage of the area of the roof that covers conditioned spaces only. Conditioned spaces being the interior area of the building that is heated and air conditioned.

COMMERCIAL REBATES OVERVIEW

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS/GUIDELINES – For New Construction & Retrofit Projects

1. Each participant must be served by Austin Energy (AE) and be metered as a commercial customer (once the permanent meter is installed). Federal, state and county facilities are also eligible to participate, as well as schools.

2. Qualifying businesses must operate a minimum of four (4) consecutive hours daily between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays, May 1 through October 31 (with the exception of schools).

3. One Customer Information Request form, pertinent rebate application(s) along with the required documentation for each qualifying building component must be submitted. Rebate applications are available on the web at http://www.austinenergy.com/go/commercialrebates. For new construction projects, rebate applications may be submitted to Austin Energy while the project is under review at the ‘One Stop Shop’ (974.6370). This early involvement in the planning process will give AE personnel the opportunity to provide input into the project.

4. All installations must exceed the IECC Energy Code and all City of Austin amendments. All installations require permits as mandated by the City of Austin’s Development, Review and Inspection Department (974-6406).

5. All installed equipment must be new and must carry a minimum one-year warranty. Also, efficiency improvements resulting from rebate payments must remain in place, operating and maintained, for at least five (5) years from the date that rebate funds are issued to the customer.

6. Certain small business customers and non-profits may be qualified for a bonus on the rebate.

7. A small business is defined as a commercial customer that does not exceed a demand of 100 kilowatts during Austin Energy’s peak months (May 1 – October 31). Bonus rebates to qualified small business customers will be limited to a maximum of five (5) separate electric accounts per fiscal year.

8. If necessary, after receiving and reviewing the application, an AE representative will schedule an initial site visit or pre-inspection to verify the rebate opportunity and estimate the rebate amount.

9. Upon project completion, the customer is to contact AE in order to schedule a final (post-inspection) during which the AE representative will confirm the installation.

10. The customer will receive their rebate 4 to 6 weeks from final program approval.

11. For each energy project, the rebate cannot exceed 50% of the total job costs, including equipment, installation, tax, etc. A final invoice will be required to confirm the total project cost.

12. Rebate funds can be encumbered during the fiscal year in which the funds are to be disbursed. Austin Energy rebates that exceed $55,000 can be issued only after specific City Council approval.

Program guidelines and rebate levels are subject to change at any time, without notice.

History

Tomorrow Our tradition of innovation has helped Firestone become the premier single-source manufacturer and marketer of all the critical components needed for a successful, long-term roofing solution. As we look to the future, Firestone continues to research, develop and introduce new and innovative commercial roofing products. Quality products, quality installation expertise and quality warranties backed by the assets of a diversified multibillion-dollar corporation make it clear why “Nobody Covers You Better” than Firestone Building Products.

Overview

Texas Fifth Wall Roofing (Fifth Wall) was able to solve a set of extremely unique challenges on the Hays County Municipal Center. In addition to a typical single ply membrane system, the job required metal corrugated decking materials on a dome that was a critical part of the design.

As a general rule, domes are seldom included features of construction, and as a result, few designers and installers are very familiar with the challenges and issues that are common with dome roofing systems. Since Fifth Wall had completed successful dome installations in the past, our team was well prepared to minimize risk and deliver a beautiful and functional dome.

This particular dome design incorporated a superstructure consisting of curved beams and columns made out of large pieces of red iron. Over the top of that structure, the design called for a corrugated metal decking.

Challenge One: A Square Peg in a Round Hole

The problem became evident early in the design phase. The deck lay in a straight span between the curved columns except where it deformed over the ring beams. Corrugations are typically used to provide additional stiffening making it difficult to bend the decking in two directions as required by the design specification. While corrugated decking panels can bend and flex along the parallel direction of the corrugations, they could not be curved to assume the spherical shape required in the dome design.  According to Hewitt, “…it was a real life version of a square peg in a round hole.”

The Fifth Wall Way

The Fifth Wall team developed a method to provide variable height spacers to secure the sheathing material in the proper location to create a spherical shape starting with a substrate that was not geometrically predictable based on the way it was forced around the ring beams.

Challenge Two: Code Compliance

The solution was going to require a different assembly  than what was notated in the design. There was also an issue with the building code regarding how the structure would handle wind uplift standards.

Since the assemblies are very specific in nature, when they go through the code approval process, they are tested based on a very narrowly defined set of components. Because an unconventional set of components were required for the dome structure, the manufacturers’ tests would not be applicable.

The Fifth Wall Way

Fifth Wall need to apply innovation and creativity while bringing together unique technical expertise to solve this issue. This meant collaboration with the design team to develop a constructible solution to make the dome a true spherical shape. This required close examination of all components and parts that the manufacturers’ specified for a tapered panel and then subject it to the testing process as a custom design.

A special “jig” was constructed that was able to rest upon the one reliable elevation relative to a spherical shape so the vertical beams were true and set in the right location. The jig rested upon the vertical beams and then utilized arched metal shapes that were at the correct radius to establish where the target elevation was located. These arches then spanned over the uneven deck substrate giving a target spot to hit in space which allowed the Fifth Wall team to measure between the unknown height of the decking to our known height of the jig.

Next, we subjected the exact combination of products for testing, even though it would be costly, The team was convinced it could successfully pass the tests and demonstrate that Underwriters Laboratories criteria could be met.

Fifth Wall assembled a mock-up of the structure and took it to the lab. The custom designed structured exceeded the standard by 50 percent.

Result

The Hays County Municipal Center is a monument to the Fifth Wall Way™. Featuring a shining metal dome, the 232,000 square foot facility will house ten courtrooms and space for county departments that are currently scattered throughout the area. Texas Fifth Wall was named “Subcontractor of the Month” twice by Balfour Beatty Construction the general contractor on the project. According to Brent Johnson, project manager at Balfour Beatty, “…if they were on the job from the beginning, they would have won more often.”

About Texas Fifth Wall Roofing

Texas Fifth Wall Roofing is an award winning Austin commercial roofing company providing new construction and reroofing installations of single-ply, metal and composite systems. As the region’s largest industrial roofing contractor, our service department offers roof repair and maintenance services for all types of commercial, industrial and retail properties. Forward-thinking responsiveness to customer needs and the firm’s commitment to integrity over the bottom line have established Fifth Wall as a leader in the commercial roofing industry.

We are committed to employing innovative roofing technology and are dedicated to building watertight relationships with each of our clients, suppliers and employees.

1 – Poor construction methods

While it may seem obvious, a poorly constructed roof is more likely to leak or fail completely. Improper membrane installation, incorrectly applied flashing, inferior materials and poor workmanship all contribute to leaking roofs. Often, poor construction is driven by low bidding practices. Some contractors will cut corners to be profitable at your expense. Choose a well qualified firm with a verifiable track record of success. Saving a few dollars can end up costing you big money later.

2 – Poor design

Roofing design may seem simple at first glance but it is deceptively complex. There are many considerations with regard to roofing design, including weather conditions, energy usage, structural support, foot traffic, solar capability and more.  The proper roofing materials have to be chosen and they have to be appropriate for the type of weather expected at the location and the usage of the roof – now and in the future. There are many types of roofing materials available in today’s market. It is critical that the right system of installation and materials is chosen to maximize roof life span and ensure structural soundness.

3 – Exposure to the elements

Constant exposure to sun, wind,  rain, snow, and other natural elements can make even the best roofing system fail. The sun’s intense heat makes roofing materials brittle, standing water from rain can pose significant hazards and wind uplift in some areas is a common point of failure. Even though weather is unpredictable, a roof that is maintained regularly will withstand the elements for a longer period of time. Maintenance programs allow building owners and property managers to spot and mitigate  problems before they become failures.

4 – Ground movement

Ground contraction and expansion can be devastating to a buildings integrity. Often, the first sign of problems is a leaking roof. While the ground is constantly moving, extreme changes in weather (hot summers followed by cold winters) can exaggerate this movement affecting the entire structure. The shifting can cause crack, breaks, and holes to start forming on the roof through which rainwater, humidity, and moisture can easily penetrate.

5 – Equipment and Penetrations

Today’s roofing systems are home to many types of equipment ranging from air conditioning units and solar panels to vents and antennas.  The added weight of equipment can cause sagging which leads to pooling water.  Additionally, most of these types of equipment need regularly maintained. This means foot traffic on the roof. It is not uncommon for a workman to inadvertently damage the roofing membrane by dropping tools. These small tears can lead to expensive and serious problems.

Roofers recommend enlisting a licensed roofing contractor to inspect roofing systems twice a year as well as after any severe weather. Inspections can help give you a leg-up on any damage so minor issues can be repaired before they escalate or future budget can be allocated for any major reconstruction work that may be needed.

Water and weather are a roof’s enemies and can create problems ranging from pitch pan leaks to cracks to poor drainage to thermal stress, all of which can wreak havoc on the overall condition and lifespan of a roof. A capable licensed roofing contractor will keep an eye out for these issues during inspection to ensure that you catch them before they become catastrophic.

In fact, while the average lifespan of a roof is 15 to 30 years, the National Roofing Association estimates that 35 percent of all roofs do not reach their full life expectancy because of improper installation, faulty materials, poor care, weather conditions and heavy foot traffic. Correcting these stressors in advance will greatly increase the durability and longevity of your roof, which will also alleviate the stress of dealing with leaks, water damage and other issues that could affect tenants or cause disputes.

AUSTIN—Todd Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer of Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Systems, one of the region’s largest industrial roofing contractors, was honored as a nominee for the Austin Business Journal’s 2011 Best CEO Awards on Sept. 22 at the awards reception held at the AT&T Conference Center.

“To be nominated for the Austin Business Journal Best CEO Awards is truly a recognition of the Texas Fifth Wall Team,” said Todd Hewitt, Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Systems CEO. “My top accomplishment is the team I serve today. My associates at Fifth Wall and their service to our clients are the living embodiment of everything I have been able to apply in my career. They represent a sustained effort to develop people and the process to deliver quality and integrity on each project.”

Hewitt manages all aspects of the company and has been leading Fifth Wall’s initiatives for more than a decade. Under his leadership, the company has experienced a high rate of growth and has become the go-to commercial roofing company for the region. Hewitt is a member of the Central Texas Subcontractors Association and Texas Construction Association and serves as Associate Director and Vice Chair, respectively.

“Ever the visionary, Todd incessantly reminds leaders within our organization that the path to success is through the business development process,” said Jody Delino, CFO of Fifth Wall. “Through his foresight and leadership, Fifth Wall remained flexible and responsive to changing circumstances, enhanced its customer relationships and instituted austerity measures of the right magnitude at the right time.”

The top award winner, Brian Sharples, CEO of HomeAway, was selected from 40 Austin-area CEO nominees who have a strong record of innovation, outstanding performance as well as leadership roles in the philanthropic, civic or political arenas. 2011 marks Austin Business Journal’s first year to present this award.

About Texas Fifth Wall Roofing

Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Systems, Inc. is an award-winning commercial roofing company, providing new construction and reroofing installations of single-ply, metal and composite systems. As the largest service provider in the Central Texas Region, Fifth Wall’s service department offers repair and maintenance services for all types of commercial, industrial and retail properties. Forward-thinking responsiveness to customer needs and the firm’s commitment to integrity over the bottom line have established Fifth Wall as a leader in the roofing industry.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas with an office in San Antonio, Fifth Wall is committed to employing innovative roofing technology and is dedicated to building watertight relationships with its clients, suppliers and employees. Fifth Wall is a 14-time recipient of the Carlisle SynTec Excellence in Single-Ply award and has been recognized by Firestone as Master Contractor, attaining Inner Circle of Quality, which is awarded for long-term installation quality.

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Media Contact:
Bonnie Caver
512-832-8588