According to Green Roof Technology, adding one of these satisfies 2 LEED credits and there are several options for more credits upon stormwater efficiency, energy performance, and system reuse. After first observing this green roof, the perception of why it was constructed can be just a LEED requirement meant and nothing further. An environmentally friendly roof with vegetation is rare to be seen around Florida, so this is the result of unawareness. Benefits of a green roof can be unbelievable, especially if constructed in large amounts in big cities.
This remarkable idea for vegetation on rooftops has been around for quite some time, but the past few years it has substantially increased in awareness. Green Roofs For Healthy Cities (GRHC) formed in 2004 and is one big non-profit association that provides information and professional development to those interested. There are even over 500 registered Green Roof Professionals (GRP) that have to be qualified on all types of roof systems that help building efficiency and the environment. Having an official title to acquire like this is beneficial to make sure the builder knows what they are doing in the rare scope addition of a green roof. This is the time to produce quality sustainable systems that work well, and the results can be shown off as successful examples to advance green roofs in big cities.
Big, world cities tend to be hotter and the people care less about environmental concerns. New York is one of the most well-know cities of the world, and the construction of most larger buildings occurred years ago when environmental impacts were rarely considered. Awareness is surely growing with the help of national associations as well as local companies like New York Green Roofs. Future construction and renovation will have options to revamp the skyline with sustainable solutions. This is one example of a small specialized contractor that can assist in creating an elite and functional green roof. The New York Times Opinionator submission Green Roofs in Big Cities Bring Relief From Above clearly defines general problems of New York and how green roofs can help reduce harmful effects. Most roofs contain dark surfaces that absorb and heat up to extremely high temperatures. New York is a prime urban heat island with the average summer temperature 7 degrees hotter than the outside suburbs. Stormwater runoff is fast-paced and the sewers are outdated, so a bunch of soil beds would help control, hold, and possibly reuse rooftop water. Getting rid of black roofs, fast-paced water runoff, and high air conditioning costs will be immediate benefits if a green roof movement grows in these busy areas.
Keeping with Rinker Hall's construction, it contains large cisterns that giving it another reason why it is a good example for future green buildings. The Gainesville Sun article Cisterns Help UF Building Cut Water Use, define these cisterns and their efficiency. Dr. Charles Kibert helped define this process, as one 8,000 gallon and two green roof 1,500 gallon containers collect rainwater to be reused through piping to the restrooms. The average campus building uses about 40,000 gallons per month and Rinker Hall saves about 36,000 gallons per month with these cisterns. There are several examples out there of successful green roof systems and what they can deliver back to your building in life-cycle costs.
