March 2007 Rebate Report: Spotlight: Cool-Roof Incentives

Products

Saving Energy by Reducing Solar Gain Through the Roof

The term cool roof is used to describe materials that can significantly lower the surface temperature of a roof--by as much as 65 degrees F on hot, sunny summer day. In an air-conditioned building,lower roof surface temperatures result in reduced cooling loads and substantial energy savings. For commercial applications, cool-roof materials are categorized into three main groups —coatings, single-ply membranes and metal roofing—with white being the color of choice for most applications. The type of material installed depends on whether it is a retrofit, tear-off or new construction application, and cost can vary by a large margin. New construction or roof tear-offs can have small incremental cost, while the cost of retrofit coatings depends on the condition of the existing roof.

Utilities, governments, and other agencies have shown increasing support for this technology. California now includes cool roofs in its mandated Title 24 state energy code. The following table highlights cool roof tools and the federal tax incentive, and it summarizes five utility rebate programs that offer incentives based on cool roof square footage. Cool roofs are sometimes covered by a utility’s “custom” program, where incentive amounts are based on actual savings realized or similar metrics.

Spotlight on Cool-Roof Programs

Past reports feature a variety of incentive types and programs, and include participation details and eligibility requirements, as well as contact information, links to rebate applications, and more.

PROGRAMS OFFERING INCENTIVES FOR COOL ROOFS

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT – FL

CONTACT DATA: Kathy Schmitt (239) 947-7349, kathy.schmitt@fpl.com

PROGRAM: Building Envelope Improvements

PROGRAM DETAILS: Incentive of $0.45/ft2 of reflective roof when installing light-colored metal roofs, rubber-like or thermoplastic reflective membranes or reflective coatings in existing buildings that are ENERGY STAR or Cool Roof Rating Council compliant. Solar reflectance of existing roof must be = 40%; cool roof must have reflectance of at least 73% (light-colored metal roofs must reflect 65%). Building’s ac system must operate 3-5pm weekdays, April through October. Work must be performed by an FPL participating independent contractor and must be over cooled space.

AUSTIN ENERGY – TX

CONTACT DATA: (512) 482-5455, conservation@austinenergy.com

PROGRAM: Commercial Energy Management Services

PROGRAM DETAILS: Incentive of $0.15/ ft2 of reflective roof for both new and existing buildings. Existing roof must not be reflective. Reflective coating or integrated white, single-ply membrane must be over mechanically cooled space and have 75% reflectivity as measured by ASTM E424-71, E903-96, C1549-04, E1918-97 or solar spectrum reflectometer. Building must operate a minimum of four consecutive hours daily between 2 and 8pm, May through October. Rebate amounts up to $100,000; qualified small business customers may be eligible for a 20% bonus.

CPS ENERGY - San Antonio, TX

CONTACT DATA: (210) 353-2728

PROGRAM: Commercial Rebates

PROGRAM DETAILS: Incentive of $0.10/ft2 of reflective roof for both new and existing buildings. Existing roof must not be reflective. Reflective coating or integrated white, single-ply membrane must have 75% reflectivity as measured by ASTM E424-71, E903-96 or solar spectrum refl ectometer. Building must operate a minimum of four consecutive hours daily between 2 and 8 pm, May through October. Rebate amounts up to $50,000 are available (not to exceed 50% of total project cost).

PROGRESS ENERGY – FL

CONTACT DATA: (877) 372-8477

PROGRAM: Energy Efficiency Services (Cool Roof)

PROGRAM DETAILS: Customer must first have free Business Energy Check. If cool roof is recommended, customer can receive incentive of $0.10/ ft2 for cool-roof material (up to a max of $5,000/building). Cool-roof product must be Energy Star-labeled and have 65% or greater reflectivity as measured by ASTM E-903 or ASTM C-1549 and be applied by licensed contractor.

IDAHO POWER – ID

CONTACT DATA: Curt Nichols (208) 388-6484), cnichols@idahopower.com

PROGRAM: Building Efficiency for Commercial Construction (new buildings) and Easy Upgrades (existing buildings)

PROGRAM DETAILS: Incentive of $0.05/ ft2 of reflective roof for both new and existing buildings. Reflective roof must have a total initial reflectivity of at least 70% and an emissivity of at least 0.75. Program requirements are based on California’s Title 24 standards for flat roofs. Rebate amount has been raised in 2007 to $100,000 per project. In addition to rate schedules 7 and 9, rate schedule 19 (large commercial and industrial customers) is now included in rebate program.

XCEL ENERGY – MN

CONTACT DATA: (800) 481-4700, bcs@xcelenergy.com

PROGRAM: ConservationWise from Xcel Energy - Roofing Efficiency

PROGRAM DETAILS: Cool roofs are part of custom program. Incentives are based on amount of energy savings from cool roof (higher the reflectivity of roof, larger the incentive). Cool-roof materials must be Energy Star-labeled. Utility offers free energy analysis to help determine proper application of cool-roof materials to maximize energy savings.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX INCENTIVE

CONTACT DATA: tiap@aceee.org

PROGRAM DETAILS: Federal income tax deduction of $1.80 per ft2 for reducing heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, and interior lighting energy costs of a building by 50% when compared to ASHRAE Standard 90.1 - 2001. Both new and existing buildings are eligible but must be covered by the scope of ASHRAE Standard 90.1 - 2001. Partial deduction of $0.60/ ft2 can be taken for improvements to the building shell (including the use of cool roofs) that reduce total heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, and interior lighting energy costs by at least 16.67% when compared to ASHRAE Standard 90.1 - 2001. Building or system must be certified with inspection and testing by “qualified individuals” to show compliance with energy cost savings goal.

COOL ROOF TOOLS AND WEBSITES OF INTEREST

• www.coolroofs.org – website for the Cool Roof Rating Council, has information about cool-roof products, programs, and product testing.
• www.ornl.org – contains Dept. of Energy (DOE) Cool Roof Calculator that estimates energy and demand savings for fl at roofs. (Input “cool roofs” in search engine.)
• www.energystar.gov – contains information about Energy Star-labeled reflective roof products. (Input “cool roofs” in search engine.)
• www.consumerenergycenter.org/coolroof/ – information website of the California Energy Commission. Answers many frequently asked questions about cool roofs and offers information on how to meet California’s Title 24 Energy Efficiency Building Standards relating to cool roofs
• http://eande.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/CoolRoofs/ – website for the Heat Island Group of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Contains information and links on material reflectivity and emittance, energy cost savings and available cool roof products.

Rebate Report is generated by the Financial Incentives National Database (F.I.N.D.) exclusively for Energy & Power Management. Copyright 2007 RealWinWin, Inc. The data contained herein are provided for information purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed as programs are subject to change. RealWinWin disclaims any liability resulting from discrepancies. Visit www.realwinwin.com for further information. Submit inquiries to info@realwinwin.com or call (866) 799-FIND.