The Roof of the Future

The metal roofing system helps heat and cool buildings, produces electricity for the grid, and harvests rainwater.

The nation’s largest energy user, the Department of Defense (DoD), is host to a project that demonstrates best practices for reducing a building’s carbon footprint and lowering demand for energy and water.

The dynamic roofing system, installed at the Security Forces Building at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, uses a combination of technologies that heat and cool air and water, produce electricity, and collect rainwater. The system could be replicated at thousands of DoD buildings throughout the country in the near future, according to a press release. The technology could also be applicable to new and retrofit homes and multifamily developments.

The unique system brings together multiple functions in one holistically designed, integrated building envelope system that can be used on flat or sloped roof designs. Because the metal roof system can be installed over an existing roof, it can save on installation costs and keep old roofing material out of landfills, according to the DoD.

A retrofitted metal roof is installed over the existing roof, which creates a cavity between the existing and new roofs. Within that cavity insulation, solar thermal heating systems and cooling of air and water for the building can be installed. The roofing, insulation, hydronic solar thermal systems, engineered air pathways, and photovoltaic cells are designed to work symbiotically.

Other benefits of the system include:
--Cool metal roofing with a high solar reflectance coating saves up to 25 percent in summer cooling energy costs and helps mitigate the heat island effect in urban areas.
--The solar thermal system preheats water for use inside the building, reducing the use of fossil fuels or electricity for hot water heaters. The heated water can also be used for space heating using a heat exchanger.
--Rainwater is harvested and reused for non-potable applications such as watering landscaping or flushing toilets.
--Thin-film solar panels provide energy for the building and allow electricity to be sold to the grid.

What do you think? This sounds like a great idea—it cuts down on waste and saves on electricity and water. Does this type of roofing application make sense for home builders? Weigh in below in COMMENTS.