What is CRRC?
The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) is a nonprofit focused on developing voluntary compliance standards for the radiative properties of construction materials, namely roofs and exterior wall products.
When CRRC was first established in 1998, the organization was focused exclusively on cool roof material ratings. In 2019, CRRC added exterior wall product evaluation to its mission and scope.
While some governing bodies have adopted CRRC standards as compliance requirements, CRRC remains an independent product rating program.
Benefits of CRRC Tested Products
Lower energy bills
Buildings constructed with CRRC-rated cool roof technology often come with lower energy bills.
The radiative properties of a given material determine how much heat that material absorbs or reflects while in service. For example, the roof of a building may absorb the heat of the sun and disperse that heat throughout the building—or the roof may reflect that heat away, blocking it from entering the building and affecting the ambient temperature.
When that heat is reflected away by a CRRC-rated cool roof, the building’s air conditioning system is no longer battling with weather to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. Because the air conditioning system is consuming less energy, the building’s residents pay much lower energy bills.
Extended life of roof
CRRC-tested roofing materials often last longer than their traditional counterparts.
CRRC-rated “cool roof” materials are formulated with a few specific additives to raise reflectance and improve thermal properties. This may include antioxidants, antidegradants, and heat-resistant additives. These additives also serve to protect the roof from deterioration caused by UV light and high temperatures. As a result, cool roof products will perform better and outlast alternative products that aren’t made with these beneficial additives.
Greater comfort for occupants and residents
Some parts of the United States enjoy a more temperate climate, without the blazing heat of southern summers and bitter cold of northern winters. The need for air conditioning is so infrequent that many residents simply don’t bother. But heat waves can strike at any time. A cool roof is a great way to achieve a cooler temperature without having to purchase and install an air-conditioning system that will only get used a few times per year.
Environmental benefits of cool roofs
Widespread use of cool roof technology can lead to two major environmental benefits: reduction of CO2 emissions and “heat islands.”
Many air conditioning units run on electricity generated by fossil fuels. Cool roofs can reduce the strain on air conditioning units by reducing the impact of solar heat on interior temperatures. If air conditioning units are consuming less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature, fewer emissions are being released into the atmosphere during their operation.
A “heat island” is a specific footprint, usually a city, that generates significantly more heat than the surrounding area. Roofs, roads, and other dark surfaces absorb thermal output from the sun, especially with fewer trees to provide shade. All that heat can drive up energy bills and make everyone a little less comfortable. Cool roofs, however, can reflect a significant amount of that solar heat back into the atmosphere, bringing down the temperature and reducing the “heat island” effect.
Get CRRC Material Testing With ACE Laboratories
The Cool Roofs Rating Council (CRRC) has approved just six laboratories for validation testing of roofing materials—and ACE Laboratories is proud to be one of them. We’re certified to test over 3,000 roofing materials for solar reflectance, radiative performance, and thermal emittance, in compliance with CRRC standards. You can count on ACE for reliable data, relevant expertise, and the fastest turnaround times in the industry.
To learn more about CRRC testing and our construction expertise, talk to a member of the ACE team.