Green Roof Heat Loss

Green roofs improve and reduce energy consumption.

Green roof heat loss.

In winter the green roof minimizes heat loss through added insulation on the roof. The allegheny county office building green roof was found to lose 8 2 less heat than the control roof in heating months and gain 75. Plant leaves trap dust particles from the air and evapotranspiration cools ambient temperatures. A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof which involves at a minimum high quality water proofing root repellent system drainage system filter cloth a lightweight growing medium and plants.

The heat loss through the roof without green vegetation is determined to be 0 388 gj for scenario 1 and 3. They can reduce heating by adding mass and thermal resistance value also can reduce the heat island by increasing evapotranspiration. This energy is known as latent heat. Informational signs can accompany green roofs to educate building occupants and visitors to the benefits of the green roof and how to protect the resource.

Green roofs improve air quality. As roofs are the site of the greatest heat loss in the winter and the hottest temperatures in the summer. Energy conservation translates into fewer greenhouse gas emissions. A 2005 study by brad bass of the university of toronto showed that green roofs can also reduce heat loss and energy consumption in winter conditions.

This page provides a brief overview of the role of green roofs in mitigating the heat island effect including green roof types other environmental and social benefits and cost benefit considerations. Green roofs also provide insulation lower the need for heating and cooling and can reduce the urban heat island effect. The main findings of the study were that green roofs are able to reduce the indoor temperature of buildings and are able to achieve better heat transfer through the roof and thus a lower cooling. This roof type can be much more expensive to implement than other efficient roof options so you should carefully assess your property and consult a professional before deciding to install a green roof.

A green roof can also provide a refuge for insects and birds that have lost their natural habitat due to urban development and the loss of green space. Green roofs have been proven to help reduce heat islands. The heat transfer through the walls and roof during heating season can be viewed in fig. A green roof or rooftop garden is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop.

The effect that the green roof media has on the thermal performance of the roof system was evaluated. It is clearly seen that the heat loss from the green roof is notably greater than the building having no green vegetation on the roof.