Metal Roof Energy Savings

Department of energy and conducted by the oak ridge national laboratory shows why metal roofs promote energy conservation in the home.

Metal roof energy savings.

The lightning always strikes the tallest object peak regardless of the material. A typical metal roof can last for as many as 50 years which is up to three times longer than any typical asphalt shingle roof. Major roof costs include upfront installation materials and labor and ongoing maintenance repair recoating and cleaning. Cool roofs can save money several ways including energy savings rebates and incentives hvac equipment downsizing and extended roof lifetime.

The secret to metal roofing s energy savings is in its variety of finishes. Since more heat is reflected energy bills are lowered. For homes in warmer climates pre painted or granular coated metal roofing systems reflect solar energy and cool your home by re emitting most of what solar radiation is absorbed. Cool painted metal roofs retain 95 of their initial reflectance and emittance over time equaling longer lifespan over conventional roofing systems.

Metal roofs on the other hand reflect the sun s heat away from a building leading to energy savings of about 50 percent and they can be about 100 degrees cooler on the surface than traditional asphalt roofs source. A metal roof acts as a faraday cage and in case of a lightning strike would safely dissipate the electric charge. The energy savings of a metal roof multiply over the years thanks to the longevity of this type of roofing. With metal roofing lightning is never an issue.

Metal roofing utilizing cool colors are known to have energy savings ranging from 7 15 of overall cooling costs. You can claim back 10 of the cost up to a maximum of 500. A study funded by the u s. Additional cool roof costs include specialized materials and labor.

The basic unpainted metal roof will reflect more solar radiation than an asphalt roof which absorbs and holds heat. The answer has to do partially with how the roof is installed. Asphalt and metal roofs. A shingle roof also weakens and curls over time making it less of a full proof barrier for the effects of rain wind and other environmental forces and necessitating roof maintenance and earlier replacement.

As the demand for energy saving building materials increases metal roofs are installed more often. This measurement is very important in determining how well metal roofing and its color will work on a roof. In 2018 and 2019 the residential energy property credit is limited to an overall lifetime credit limit of 500 200 lifetime limit for windows. Metal roofs with pigmented coatings and asphalt roofs with cooling granules will qualify for this.

David martin is troubled by some of the advertising claims he s seen about metal roofing specifically a statement from the metal roofing alliancethat a cool metal roof can save 25 in energy costs compared to a dark grey asphalt shingle. You may be able to take these credits if you made energy saving improvements to your principal residence during the taxable year.