Going green
UCF's green roof saves energy, inspires others
Leah Grice
Issue date: 11/21/07 Section: News
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Released on Nov. 5, the report featured the effectiveness of the 1,600-square-foot green roof. UCF's results far exceeded expectations.
UCF's green roof has an energy savings of 43.3 percent during the summer months and 50 percent when the temperature drops below 55 degrees, said Eric Livingston, bureau chief of Watershed Management at DEP.
Green roofs use vegetation planted on top of buildings to reduce energy needed to regulate building temperatures. The plants reduce heat in the summer, but help hold heat in the winter.
With UCF being the first university and the second location to receive a green roof in Florida, DEP and university officials were unsure of the results they would receive. Livingston described the project as research.
"We didn't know," Livingston said. "Green roofs have not been done in tropical climates before."
DEP's first green roof was built in Fort Myers. This environmentally friendly design uses waterproofing drainage systems that allow a layer of vegetation to grow on a flat or sloping roof. The Fort Myers experience taught DEP several lessons, such as what plants to use and not to use, and that green roofs must use an irrigation system held in a cistern.
Using their improved knowledge, DEP provided UCF with a $350,000 grant to begin planting the green roof as a part of its mission to develop new management practices to reduce stormwater pollution.
"Investing in new green technologies to reduce storm water pollution, conserve energy and protect our rivers, lakes and springs will further water quality protection and provide clean water to meet future water supply needs," DEP secretary Michael Sole said.
UCF's rooftop garden has done just that.
Along with boosting energy savings, the results also show that the green roof can retain 80 percent of the average stormwater volume.
"The water would normally be discharged and go to waste," said Marty Wanielista, director of UCF's Stormwater Management Academy.
However, with the green roof, the stormwater is reused for irrigation purposes, reducing the need for potable water. The green roof also provides other advantages.
DEP research shows, the rooftop greenery extends the life of the roof from 20 to 50 years, reducing the need for reroofing. Along with being a noise suppressant, the green roof also reduces heat.