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Cool Roof Retrofit Payback Calculator
Cool roof coating reflects solar heat, cuts cooling load and extends roof life.
Payback years
5.6
Annual savings
$21,600
Life extension value
$112,000
How the math works
Investment = sqft × cost. Annual savings = cooling spend × reduction.
40k × $3 = $120k invest. $120k × 18% = $21.6k savings. Payback 5.6 yr.
How to Use
- Enter roof sqft.
- Enter coating cost per sqft.
- Enter cooling load reduction kWh.
- Enter electricity rate.
- Enter roof life extension years.
- Read payback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cool roof coatings?
White elastomeric coating: $1.50-4/sqft installed. Silicone coating (more durable, UV-stable): $3-6/sqft. Acrylic coating: $1-3/sqft (entry-level). Aluminum coating: $1.50-3/sqft (for metal roofs). Coating life: 10-15 years typical. Substrate preparation critical (cleaning, priming): 30-40% of project cost.
Reflectance (SRI)?
Dark asphalt roof: SRI 15-25. Gray roof: SRI 40-50. White roof: SRI 75-95. Cool roof standard: SRI 75+. Cool roof at SRI 90: reflects 80-90% solar heat. Rooftop temperature: dark roof 160-180°F, cool roof 100-120°F. Air conditioning load reduction: 10-25% for roof-level spaces. Multi-story: 2-8% building-wide cooling reduction.
Energy savings?
Hot climates (Phoenix, Las Vegas, Miami, Dallas, Houston): 15-25% cooling reduction. Mild climates (LA, SF, Atlanta): 8-15%. Northern climates: marginal savings (winter heating penalty offsets summer). Net-positive where cooling-dominant. Typical 50k sqft warehouse in Texas: $15-40k annual cooling savings from cool roof.
Roof life extension?
Cool roof reduces substrate thermal stress. Typical TPO/EPDM membrane lasts 15-25 years. Cool roof extension: 5-10 additional years (longer life by reducing UV degradation + thermal cycling). Avoids premature replacement. Real value: the coating IS the new roof for the next decade. Tripwire: if existing roof has significant age, coating may cover leaks temporarily but doesn't fix failing substrate — inspect first.
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