New resources for designing buildings in a warming climate

By Jenny Yu.  

An interactive training course and a new brief provide guidance on cool roof technologies and their role in sustainable building design. 

As extreme heat events become more frequent and energy efficiency remains a top priority for building professionals, new educational resources are helping architects, contractors and building owners better understand strategies for resilient building design. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) recently released two new educational resources aimed to expand industry knowledge about cool roof technologies and their role in improving overall building performance.  

These resources — an interactive online course and a useful informative document — provide practical guidance on how reflective roofing materials can help improve energy efficiency, reduce urban heat impacts and be used in tandem with rooftop solar systems to support sustainable building practices. 

Course: “Designing Buildings for Heat Resilience & Energy Efficiency” 

Titled “Designing Buildings for Heat Resilience & Energy Efficiency,” the free, online and self-paced course is an updated, interactive tool based on the CRRC’s previously published text-based resource. With urban warming impacting health, energy efficiency, air quality and the economy, this course provides essential information about the growth of cool roofs initiatives and third-party product ratings. It describes how solar reflective cool roof and exterior wall materials help protect individuals and communities from the impacts of extreme heat and discusses the factors that influence energy savings and performance. 

Now with instructional videos, downloads and clickable links, the multimedia format allows for deeper engagement with the material. Furthermore, professionals can take their learning on-the-go with the mobile-friendly feature, as the course is designed to adapt to any screen size and takes about an hour to complete. Participants can earn continuing education credits for AIA, GBCI and over 25 other organizations. 

Document: “Harnessing the Mutual Benefits of Cool Roofs + Rooftop PV” 

Another key resource the CRRC has recently published is the brief, “Harnessing the Mutual Benefits of Cool Roofs + Rooftop PV.” A collaboration between the CRRC, the National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly National Renewable Energy Laboratory), and the Philadelphia Solar Energy Association (PSEA), this four-page document lays out the basics of cool roofs, rooftop solar photovoltaic systems (PV) and how these technologies can work together to increase solar panel efficiency and energy production. The resource also provides additional resources for more learning about cool roofs and solar energy, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. 

In developing these resources, the Cool Roof Rating Council provides building professionals with accessible, researched-backed information that supports smarter design decisions in a warming climate. 

Explore the interactive course or download the full brief from the CRRC to learn more about cool roof strategies!