Energy Star is a government-back label that is given to a product or material that can save a measurable amount of energy. This designation allows consumers and companies to make informed choices about the appliances and products that they buy so they can save on energy costs.
These products can provide a number of benefits to homeowners or building managers. They can reflect the sun’s rays and thus lower the amount of heat that enters a building. Because of this, Energy Star-certified roofing products can lower your cooling demands during peak times by 10 to 15%.
Whether or not Energy Star shingles are worth it depends on where you live and what your goals are. In warmer climates, homeowners see remarkable savings on their energy costs. But all of that reflection isn’t as helpful in the winter. While Energy Star shingles can increase your heating costs in the winter, you will see an overall improvement in your energy efficiency. Buildings in cities such as Indianapolis, Chicago, and New York City use Energy Star roofing materials, and while their heating costs are slightly higher in the winter, the savings from cooling over the summer far surpass what is spent in the colder months.
Energy Use
What insulation you decide to use, where you live, your building’s design, and the climate you live in can also have a major effect on how energy-efficient your roof is. Air-conditioning used in buildings uses a sixth of all the electricity generated in the United States. This equates to about $40 billion spent annually. There are some factors to think about when choosing the right roofer for your home. You will want to hire a roofer who takes the time to explain all of these different factors to you. Click here to learn more about qualified roofing contractors.
How Products Get The Energy Star Label
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has laid out the specifications in order for a product to receive the Energy Star rating. In order to receive the Energy Star label a product must:
- Be able to verify with testing that there has been a measurable improvement in energy consumption and performance
- Meet the needs and wants of consumers in providing energy-efficient products
- Be widely available through non-proprietary technologies that multiple manufacturers can produce
What Energy Star Label Means
In order to maintain the maximum standards of quality, the EPA is very particular about who gets the Energy Star label. They will only give the label to quality products that successfully fulfill a need that consumers and businesses have. So when you are using a product with the Energy Star label you know that your product has surpassed these standards and is proven to be a benefit to you.
Warranty
In order to have an Energy Star label you a manufacturer must provide a warranty for defects in the materials in the manufacturing of the product. The warranty must be equal in every material used in the product.
Sun Reflectance
The reflectance of the roof must improve over time in accordance with expected levels in order to receive the designation. For example, a low-slope roof that had an initial solar reflective reading of 0.65 or more is expected to have a reflectance of 0.50 when testing in three years after installation. This would be an example of how the roof is functioning in a more energy-efficient way.
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