Economic Benefits
Below you will find brief descriptions of the various economic benefits associated with green roofs. By clicking on any title, you can browse a list of the summaries that pertain to that category. If you want to see all the summaries that relate to Economic Benefits click here.
Materials
Green roofs can save costs by reducing the material inputs into building construction and maintenance. For example, a green roof can double the life expectancy of a waterproofing membrane, reducing maintenance and replacement costs. HVAC systems can be downsized due to the lower heating and cooling needs, and costs for roof drains can also be reduced or eliminated because vegetated roofs retain storm water.
Energy Use
Due to its insulating properties, a green roof can substantially reduce energy consumed in heating an cooling interior space. The reduced demand on power plants will decrease the amount of greenhouse gases being produced and the release of other polluting by-products into the air.
Aesthetics and well-being
Green roofs create a more pleasant viewscape in the city and provide much needed patches of green for leisure activities. This can reduce stress, increase productivity, reduce employee sick days, and shorten healing times for patients who have access to vegetated roofs.
Social
Vegetable gardens can be located on green roofs and provide a secure source of food to building occupants or the wider community. As green roofs proliferate, the demand for green roof professionals, such as suppliers and manufacturers of green roof components, installers, and landscapers will increase.
Storm water management
Green roofs improve the quality and reduce the quantity of run-off, reducing the load on the municipal storm-water and treatment system. This can reduce maintenance and replacement costs for public infrastructure. Flooding and the associated damage can also be reduced if enogh green roof coverage is achieved in a catch basin. In areas with combined sanitary and storm sewers, green roofs can result in fewer combined sewer overflow (CSO) events.
Temperature Regulation
The reintroduction of vegetation into cities can help mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce the energy needed for cooling buildings in the warm months.
Air Quality
Green roofs mitigate air pollution levels by lowering extreme summer temperatures, trapping particulates, and capturing gases. This can help reduce the personal and social costs associated with air pollution, especially health costs.
Biodiversity
Green roofs are a unique opportunity to recreate destroyed habitats for native flora and fauna through careful design.
Other
Other economic benefits of green roofs include their capacity to help market a building or to help builders achieve regulatory objectives, such as green space dedications.