This life-cycle cost-benefit tool enables industry professionals and building owners to better understand the benefits of green roofs over the long term
The Toronto-based Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, in partnership with Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance and the Athena Institute, is pleased to announce the launch of the GreenSave Calculator. The GreenSave Calculator is the first Web-enabled life-cycle cost-benefit tool that enables professionals such as architects, designers, engineers, developers, and building owners to compare the short- and long-term costs and benefits of green roofs and conventional roofs.
"For years, we've been researching the multiple benefits of green roofs. Now, for the first time, we have a practical tool, the GreenSave Calculator, that can incorporate many of these benefits into the decision making process," says Steven Peck, president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.
"Tremco has supported the initial development of this important tool as part of our continuing dedication to bringing our customers the latest products and services to simplify their roofing decisions. We see a bright future for green roofs and plan to be a big part of it," says Ralph Velasquez, sustainable technologies manager, Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance.
"The value of the GreenSave Calculator is that it allows users to be much better informed about the costs and benefits associated with green roofs and conventional roofing systems within a robust life-cycle cost analysis environment," says Jamie Meil, co-founder and director of the Athena Institute.
The GreenSave Calculator was designed under the leadership of Velasquez, the members of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities' Life-Cycle Cost-Benefit Sub-Committee, and the Athena Institute. The GreenSave Calculator facilitates detailed comparisons of up to three different roofing options over the defined life-span of the project (typically ranging from 25 to 60 years), providing a more accurate, comprehensive picture of the long range impacts of each option. Among the many elements that can be considered are the life-cycle study period, discount rate, general and energy price inflation, investment cost data, residual or resale value, recurring operating and maintenance, and replacement costs.
The GreenSave Calculator is also capable of capturing other possible roof benefits such as stormwater and heat island mitigation, extended roof durability, related energy costs and savings, development fee savings, marketing benefits, increased rental income, and tenant health and productivity improvements that can be ascribed to a roofing system. With the online availability of Version I, the Life-Cycle Cost-Benefit Committee will continue to enhance the breadth and scope of the GreenSave Calculator in the months to come.
Green (vegetative) roofs involve the use of high-quality waterproofing, drainage, filter cloth, growing media, and plants. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is an industry association for the green roof industry with over 4,000 Individual and 75 Corporate Members. They are implementing a professional training and accreditation program for green roof designers and installers, provide tools, information and services to their members, and advocate for supportive government policies and programs by working directly with cities.
Headquartered in Beachwood, OH, Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance helps manage building life-cycles while providing roofing and weatherproofing peace of mind to customers in education, healthcare, government, manufacturing and many other industries. In business since 1928, Tremco and its service organization are ISO 9001:2000 certified. To learn more about Tremco, call toll-free at (800) 562-2728 or visit the company website.
The not-for-profit Athena Institute is dedicated to sustainability of the built environment, a goal that can only be achieved by meeting the building community's need for better information and tools. The Institute undertakes and directs various research and development activities that make it possible to factor both environmental and economic considerations into building design and operations through the provision of ground breaking software tools, life cycle assessment databases, and specialized consulting services. For more information, e-mail ([email protected]).
This information was provided by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.
