BENEFITS OF A GREEN ROOFING BENEFITS OF A GREEN ROOFING SYSTEMSYSTEM

VEGETATIONVEGETATIONPlants absorb heat which reduces the heat transfer through the building roof, temperatures of the roof surface and the surrounding air.

• Provides shade• Acts as insulators for the building,

reducing energy needed to cool or heat• Improves human health, indoor

comfort, and lower stress associated with heat waves

Considerations for plant selection

BGTV Green Roofing basics

Paul Pritchett, Riley Murphy, Anthony Undag, Camille Mauban – DESN 3038/39

Green roofs are an emerging technology that use sustainable material that help

reduce the heat island effect.

STORM WATER RUN OFFSTORM WATER RUN OFFGreen Roofs can help correct the problem of the water flow collecting chemicals, debris and other pollutants. Storm Water Run Off Process

Storm water run off is also a source of drinking water, posing a threat to people’s health and raising the cost of water treatment.Water can be stored by the growing material and then absorbed by the plants. By storing storm water you can:

• Use that reclaimed water from the roof and building for vegetation gardens and toilets

• Enhance the water quality by reducing and slowing down storm water runoff

• Filter pollutants from rainfall

In the summer the roof will absorb between 70%-90% of water and between 25%-40% in the Winter.

Green roofs will make Green roofs will make evapotranspirationevapotranspiration possible, possible, which will lower temperatures, which will lower temperatures, energy, and costs in cities energy, and costs in cities while providing an attractive while providing an attractive alternative to a conventional alternative to a conventional roof.roof.

COSTS, SAVINGS, AND LONG TERM COSTS, SAVINGS, AND LONG TERM EFFECTSEFFECTSEvery green roofing project is unique. Costs depend on several variables:

1.Geographic Location2.Thickness of the green roof3.Materials Used

• Water Tanks• Solar Panels

4.Provider/Installer (or green roof brand)• Simpler, extensive roof installations:

$10 - $25 /sq. foot• Sophisticated, intensive roof

installations: $25 - $100 /sq. foot5.Size of green roof installation6.Tax incentives in place

STOREAGE WATER TANKSSTOREAGE WATER TANKSStoring and using rainwater for multiple uses such as toilet flushing or gardening, can drastically increase water savings and large reductions in stormwater discharges. Types of water tanks

Maintenance•Cleaning the first flush device every 3-6 months•Removing leaves and debris from the inlet mesh on the tank every 3-6 months•Removing leaves and debris from the gutters every 3-6 months•Checking the level of sediment in the tank every 2 years

ASK AN EXPERT!ASK AN EXPERT!Dr. Michael Behm is an Associate Professor at East Carolina University. He’s a local green roof expert here in Greenville, NC.

Can green roofing be applied to a roof with a pitch?

Are people able to walk on top of a green roof?

What needs to be considered when designing a proper green roof? Part B.

Are there any common drawbacks associated with green roofs?

What do you think the future trends for green roofs in the U.S. will be?

Would ECU benefit from a green roof? Where would be a good location?

REFERENCES

BEFORE AFTER

GREEN ROOFS CAN TRANSFORM AN UNUSED ROOFTOP INTO A FUNCTIONAL AREA

PROPOSED GREEN ROOF ON ECU’S MURPHY CENTER

It does cost more for a green roof, but in the long run, you will save money and the earth.

White concrete surfaces reduce the heat island effect.

SOLAR PANELSSOLAR PANELSPhotovoltaic System produces electricity without noise and air pollution. This system helps recycle energy and reduce U.S. oil imports.Components to a PV:

• one or more PV modules• inverter, which converts the systems DC

electricity to AC.• Batteries (optional) to provide energy storage or

backup power in case of a power interruption or outage on the grid.

ALBEDO high solar reflectance:

Cools roofs by reflecting the sunlight and heat away from the building.

ROOF PLAN FOR THE MURPHY CENTER

What types of vegetation should be used?

GREEN ROOF CARTOON

>>INTRO VIDEO

Murphy Center Example

Before and after roof, Singapore. Personal photograph by Michael Behm. 2011.

"Get Your Power from the Sun." Www.nrel.gov. U.S. Department of Energy. Web. 15 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf>.

Getter, Kristin L. "Selecting Plants for Extensive Green Roofs in the United States." University of Michigan, July

2008. Web. 15 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.hrt.msu.edu/greenroof/PDF/08%20GetterRoweExtensionBulletin.pdf>.

Green Roofs. Photograph. Tradesmen on JuggleFrogs. 2006. Web. 15 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.jugglefrogs.co.uk/news/green-roofs/>.

"Heat Island Effect | U.S. EPA." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 15 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.epa.gov/hiri/>.

Introduction to Living Roofs / Green Roofs - BGTV. Dir. Buildinggreentv. Perf. Kevin Contreras and Steve

Windhager. Introduction to Living Roofs/Green Roofs. YouTube, 16 Dec. 2007. Web. 12 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zCyyF01CL4>.

Pearson, John F., and John F. Looney. GREEN ROOFS FOR THE MUDDY RIVER. Rep. University of

Massachusetts Boston. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.colleges-

fenway.org/environmentalsciences/MuddyRiverPres/JPearsonGreenRoofCofF_14.pdf>.

Stormwater Runoff Comparison. Photograph. Philadelphia. By Roofscapes, Inc. Web.

Green Roof Cartoon. Wordpress. 2008. Web. 16 Mar. 2012.

<http://arcticcartoons.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/acsun49-turf.gif>

References