BELOIT, WI, August 14, 2001 - It's mid-August and
energy costs seem to be mirroring
the temperature - going up with little relief in sight. For building owners and
operators, keeping their buildings
cool and their costs down calls for creative
thinking, which is where the innovative GreenGrid™ System, an energy saving
roof technology introduced by Roy F. Weston, Inc. (WESTON®) and ABC Supply
Co., Inc. (ABC Supply), enters into the picture.
The GreenGrid™ System allows a building's roof to be transformed from
a barren space that is an energy liability into a rooftop oasis of plants and
grasses that acts as an extra level of insulation. At the same time, the system
also provides an added benefit of controlling stormwater runoff, which is a
major source of water pollution.
While many of us may not have ventured onto an office rooftop during the day,
it can get exceedingly hot up there. For example, when the outside air temperature
reaches 95° F, rooftop surface temperatures can be as high as 175° F.
These high outdoor temperatures impact not only the temperature within the building,
but also the amount of energy necessary to cool the building to the desired
temperature. By contrast, a GreenGrid™ roof rarely will get hotter than
77° F. This reduced rooftop temperature means cooling costs can be lowered
by up to 50 percent.
"The GreenGrid™ System is designed to help building owners and managers
extend the life of the roofing system, manage skyrocketing heating and air conditioning
costs and provide a new functionality for your property's unused space,"
said GreenGrid™ designer Don Mischo, of roofing supply giant ABC Supply.
The idea of using a green roof system is not new - it has been used in Europe
for 30 years. However, unlike the European systems, which are generally both
complicated and costly, the GreenGrid™ System developers point out that
theirs is a rooftop technology that is simple in design and cost competitive.
The GreenGrid™ modular system, made of recycled materials, can be installed
without the need of specialized equipment and depending on the size of the roof,
can be completed in a few days to a few weeks.
"Green roofs offer a near term solution to maximize building efficiency
while reducing urban air temperatures and pollution. We applaud the efforts
of this team to produce a flexible green roof product that can make our cities
more livable," said Christine Ervin, CEO of the US Green Building Council,
the nation's foremost coalition of industry leaders who promote environmentally
responsible buildings.
"Building owners and managers will appreciate the GreenGrid™ System's
lightweight, modular design that arrives at the worksite planted and ready for
installation," said Kenneth Hendricks, ABC Supply's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer.
Widespread use of such a system would bring enormous benefits, as a recent
study by WESTON has shown. According to the study, greening the rooftops of
all city buildings in Chicago would result in annual energy savings of nearly
$100 million. This translates into a reduction in peak electricity demand of
720 megawatts, or the equivalent of several coal-fired units. Green roofs also
increase the life of a roof membrane, provide usable space for recreation, increase
property values and retain significant rainfall, thereby reducing stormwater
runoff.
"This is an entirely new concept in green roof technology," said
William Robertson, WESTON Chief Executive Officer. "We believe the simplicity
of design and the economic benefits to our clients will have a major impact
on the entire commercial roofing industry. This technology will also impact
government policy and initiatives to reduce urban heat island effects."
About WESTON
WESTON (http://www.rfweston.com) provides infrastructure redevelopment services
worldwide. With an emphasis on creating lasting economic solutions for its clients,
the company’s services include site remediation and redevelopment, infrastructure
operations and knowledge management to bring impaired facilities, land, and
other resources back to productive use.
About ABC Supply
ABC Supply (http://www.abcsupply.com) is the largest U.S. wholesale distributor
of roofing and siding materials, tools, and supplies. Founded in 1982, ABC Supply
currently has more than 200 locations in 43 states. Specializing in select product
lines, it offers the professional contractor (large or small) competitive pricing,
superior pick-up and delivery service, and the highest quality building materials
available.
For more information and photos of the GreenGrid™ System, visit http://www.greengridroofs.com.