BENEFITS OF A GREEN ROOFING SYSTEM

1. BENEFITS OF A GREEN ROOFING SYSTEM 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. >>INTRO VIDEO What types of vegetation should be used? White concrete surfaces reduce the heat island effect. GREEN ROOF CARTOON Murphy Center Example ROOF PLAN FOR THE MURPHY CENTER BEFORE AFTER • STORM WATER RUN OFF • Green 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 CAN TRANSFORM AN UNUSED ROOFTOP INTO A FUNCTIONAL AREA • STOREAGE WATER TANKS Storing 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 • SOLAR PANELS • Photovoltaic 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. PROPOSED GREEN ROOF ON ECU’S MURPHY CENTER • COSTS, SAVINGS, AND LONG TERM EFFECTS • Every green roofing project is unique. Costs depend on several variables: • Geographic Location • Thickness of the green roof • Materials Used • Water Tanks • Solar Panels • Provider/Installer (or green roof brand) • Simpler, extensive roof installations: $10 - $25 /sq. foot • Sophisticated, intensive roof installations: $25 - $100 /sq. foot • Size of green roof installation • Tax incentives in place 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? • Green roofs will make evapotranspirationpossible, which will lower temperatures, energy, and costs in cities while providing an attractive alternative to a conventional roof. ALBEDO high solar reflectance: Cools roofs by reflecting the sunlight and heat away from the building. It does cost more for a green roof, but in the long run, you will save money and the earth. VEGETATION • Plants 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 REFERENCES

2. References 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>