Summertime in South Jersey can be hot, meaning the temperature inside your home or business can increase, especially if you have a dark roof that’s absorbing heat. That’s where cool roofs come in. Designed to reflect sunlight and absorb less heat, cool roofs offer a smart way to reduce indoor temperatures, lower energy bills, and extend the life of your roofing system.
At RGB Construction, we’re often asked about possible cool roof energy savings and if they’re worth the investment. The answer? It depends on your building, energy usage, and goals. But for many, the savings are real. Let’s take a closer look at how cool roofs work and whether one might be right for you.
Key Takeaways
- Cool roofs are designed to reflect sunlight and absorb less heat, helping buildings stay cooler and reducing energy consumption—especially during South Jersey’s hot summers.
- Cool roof energy savings can lower cooling costs by 10–30%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and reduce peak electricity demand.
- In addition to energy efficiency, cool roofs improve indoor comfort, extend the life of roofing materials, and help mitigate the urban heat island effect.
- Materials such as TPO, PVC, reflective metal, and ENERGY STAR®-rated shingles are commonly used for cool roofs and can be paired with rebates or tax credits.
- Cool roofs are ideal for flat or low-slope buildings with full sun exposure and high summertime energy usage, making them a smart upgrade for many homes and commercial properties in South Jersey.
What are Cool Roofs?
Cool roofs aren’t necessarily cooling materials. A cool roof is any roofing system designed with reflective materials that help deflect solar radiation. Instead of absorbing the sun’s energy like a traditional dark-colored roof, a cool roof reflects much of that energy back into the atmosphere.
Cool roofs can be made from a variety of materials, including:
- White or light-colored TPO or PVC membranes
- Reflective metal roofing
- Asphalt shingles with reflective granules
- Roof coatings designed to increase reflectivity
These materials reduce heat transfer into your building, helping keep the interior cooler without overworking your air conditioner.
How Do Cool Roofs Provide Energy Savings?
Cool roof energy savings come from one simple but powerful function: reflectivity. Think about the traditional asphalt shingle. It’s black or another dark color. Such roofing materials tend to absorb a significant portion of the sun’s rays, often reaching surface temperatures of 150°F or more on a hot day. A cool roof, by contrast, is designed to reflect sunlight and emit absorbed heat more efficiently, keeping surface temperatures 50–60°F cooler.
What does that mean for your building?
- Reduced HVAC Load: Because less heat is entering your home or business from the roof, your air conditioning system doesn’t have to work as hard or as long to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
- Lower Interior Temperatures: Even without AC, rooms directly under the roof—like top-floor bedrooms or offices—remain noticeably cooler, improving comfort in non-climate-controlled spaces.
- Significant Energy Savings: During South Jersey’s hottest months, a cool roof can cut cooling costs by 10–30%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Over the lifespan of the roof, these savings can add up to thousands of dollars in reduced utility bills.
- Less Peak Demand Usage: Since cool roofs reduce your need for cooling during high-demand hours, they can also help minimize peak usage charges from utility providers.
Cool roofs work best when there is direct sun exposure throughout the day or when air conditioning demands spike in the summer.
Benefits of Cool Roofs
While energy savings are a major draw, the advantages of cool roofs extend far beyond the utility bill. When installed properly, a cool roofing system can offer a wide range of benefits for both homeowners and business owners:
Improved Comfort Indoors
Even if you have an older home without central AC, a cool roof can significantly reduce indoor temperatures—especially on the top floor. This leads to a more comfortable living or working environment and reduces dependence on fans or window units.
Extended Roof Lifespan
Excessive heat is one of the most damaging forces to roofing materials. By reducing surface temperature, cool roofs slow the rate of thermal expansion and contraction, which means less cracking, warping, or blistering over time. This can extend the useful life of your roof by several years.
Reduced Urban Heat Island Effect
In cities and suburban neighborhoods, rooftops and pavement absorb and radiate heat, increasing overall temperatures—a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. Cool roofs reflect more sunlight back into the atmosphere, helping lower localized heat buildup and reduce cooling loads for nearby buildings as well.
Potential Tax Credits or Incentives
Many states, utility companies, and federal programs offer rebates or tax credits for energy-efficient upgrades like cool roofing. If your cool roof meets ENERGY STAR® or Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) standards, you may qualify for financial incentives that help offset installation costs. In some cases, cool roof installations may even be eligible under energy efficiency rebate programs when combined with insulation or HVAC improvements.
Can Cool Rights Work for Every Building?
While cool roofs can be a wonderful investment for many kinds of buildings, they work best with the following types:
- Flat or low-slope commercial buildings in areas without a lot of shade
- Low-slope residential homes with little shade
- Homes with dark or aging shingles
- Buildings with high energy usage during summer months
However, they may not be necessary in shaded buildings or homes with minimal AC usage. Also, during colder months, a reflective roof may slightly reduce passive heat gain—though the energy trade-off is minimal in most cases.
If you’re installing a new roof or planning a replacement, talk to RGB Construction about materials that meet ENERGY STAR® or Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) standards.
Get Cool Roof Energy Savings With RGB Construction
Are your energy bills too high in the summer? Wish you had a more eco-friendly building? Then a cool roof may be the answer! With decades of experience and a reputation for high-quality installations across Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington County, RGB Construction is here to help you make the right roofing choice.
Call 856-264-9093 or schedule your consultation online today to learn more about cool roofs and cool roof energy savings for your South Jersey home or business.
