There are two specific ways that roof designs are able to impact the operating costs of a business directly:

  •  By providing insulating value to the building’s roof systems;
  •  The roof surface’s reflectivity.

When you make efforts to minimize the amount of heat loss from the interior of the building in the winter and work to minimize the amount of heat transfer during the summer months, then you will be able to substantially reduce the requirements of the buildings HVAC system, which would then lower the operating costs you incur.

Roof Insulation

During the winter months, the heat in a building will move form an indoor heated area to the spaces outside, or where ever a temperature difference resides. During the summer months, the heat will move from outside into the interior of a building if there is a differing temperature.

When a roof system is well insulated it will decrease the cooling and the heating needs. This is done by providing an effective resistance to the flow of the heat, either to the inside or the outside.

How effective that an insulation material is, is measured by the R-value of the material. The higher the R-value of the material, the better it can resist any heat transfer. Each roof insulation material will have a different R-value. Also, in addition to the R-value of a roof material, you can also choose an insulation method based on the compatibility it has with the roof deck, adhesives, roof membrane, etc. It is important to reference the specific building codes prior to selecting a roof insulation material.

In most cases, the roofing company you hire will be able to determine the best options for your particular building. This will minimize the “guessing game” of what to use.

Reflectance

The radiation of the sun will also transfer a substantial amount of heat into a building. The ability for the roof’s membrane covering to reduce the heat gain from the radiation of the sun is a direct result of the roofs thermal emittance and solar reflectance. When the membrane of a roof has a high solar reflectivity it will reflect a larger portion of the radiation away from the building and back into the atmosphere. The thermal emittance is the ability for a roof to actually radiate the absorbed heat out, prior to it actually entering the building.

This is another aspect of the roofing that should be discussed with the roofing contractor. They will be able to recommend the highest reflective surface to ensure maximum energy efficiency is achieved.

Proper Roof Maintenance

When you are proactive with your roof maintenance and inspections, you can easily correct minor issues prior to them actually becoming a major problem. Additionally, with proper maintenance you can lower the cost of repairs during the lifetime of the roof. It is important that roof inspections include the roof membrane to reduce the amount of heat that is allowed into and out of the building.

The Bottom Line

When you ensure that the proper insulation and solar efficiency is provided for your roof, you can easily reduce the operational costs for your entire business. Seeking the consultation with roofers who understand the importance of energy efficiency in operational costs of a business is quite beneficial. Their help and expertise will help you see a drastic reduction in heating and cooling costs, which can affect your bottom line in a substantial way.