No. The first thought of cooling the roof with water conjures visions of water cascading across a roof, a though that would scare anyone. Fortunately for the owner of an eCOOLogy system, nothing could be further from reality. The eCOOLogy system cools the roof surface through evaporative cooling. The water actually reaching the roof surface is as nominal as the morning dew.

 No. The sophisticated eCOOLogy system has been designed with aerospace fail-safe concepts. Water is supplied using available water pressure; therefore there is no storage of water on the roof. Water pressure is kept from the roof-mounted pipe grid except during the actual application of water. A built-in leak test system automatically tests the system about every four minutes for evidence of a leak, or break in the pipe grid. If any problem is detected, the system is shut down, and a request for service is issued. No other cooling system ever developed has the level of safeguards, as does eCOOLogy.

 Pipes do break, and valves can fail. The eCOOLogy system was designed, and patented, around the reality that anything can break, but when it does, the system protects itself, and protects your roof.

 Actually, the chance of roof flooding from a clogged drain due to debris or leaves is far greater than having a problem from eCOOLogy.

Negative impact – No

 Positive impact – Yes

Thermal Shock: Thermal shock can be a problem for roof systems with marginally performing thermal ranges and usually becomes a greater problem as the roof ages. The difference in premature failure, in the last few years of roof service, can be the difference between a maintenance operating cost and premature capital expenditure. Thermal shock is experienced when a roof system reaches its maximum threshold temperature (as low as 140°F) and experiences a rapid drop in temperature such as a sudden rain (40°F - 45°F) on a hot day. This sudden temperature drop may induce “thermal shock” in the roof membrane, which can exceed its physical limits to a point of causing severe damage to the roof system. The eCOOLogy system maintains roof system temperatures at an upper 90°F range. It evenly cools all roof membrane areas, including flashing transitions to reduce the threat of thermal shock and stress at areas prone to sheering.

 Heat Aging: eCOOLogy’s ability to monitor and maintain roof temperatures at an upper 90°F range serves to diminish long term heat-induced degradation to the roof membrane. (A reduction in the average roof membrane temperature below approximately 120°F where accumulative thermal and photo oxidative effects start to increase the rate of deterioration referred to as “aging”.) The eCOOLogy system evenly cools all roof membrane areas, including flashing transitions to guard against hot spots. This can only serve to extend the life cycle of the roof system, which would have reached temperatures in excess of 175°F during daily thermal cycles. The actual extended life of a roof system is dependent upon several factors including roof system age, material configuration, occupancy and level of maintenance.

 The eCOOLogy system utilizes existing water sources. Depending on where you live, the concentration of contaminates in the runoff from rainwater may have greater impact than potable or reclaimed water. In most cases, this is not an issue, as residual elements do not provide a threat to either the roof system or accessory metals. eCOOLogy is sensitive to this issue and requires a local water-board’s analysis be included in all upper building evaluation prior to installing the system.

 Roof damage can occur from a concentration of contaminates, that over time, migrate to the lowest points of a roof (low spots, drains). These contaminates, like acid rain, can be airborne or residual oils from roofing materials, poor maintenance or due to spills or leaking equipment. Without removal, these contaminates slowly degrade the roof system. The eCOOLogy system’s use of water through evaporative cooling can reduce airborne degradation, such as acid rain. As part of the system’s maintenance program, the operator can periodically provide extended application to assist in the removal of other water-soluble or migrating contaminates.

A roof’s structural limitations take several items into consideration: Two of these being the weight of the roof framing and deck (diaphragm) and the weight of the roofing system itself. Structural calculations also provide margins for roof mounted equipment and roof traffic. Each structure has a preset limit (called point load) for the maximum concentration of weight in any one given spot. The weight of the eCOOLogy system, when fully loaded, distributes far less weight than one person walking across the surface (One/tenth of a pound per square foot under water load and five/one-hundredths of a pound without water load). Even with the water load, the eCOOLogy system will not pose a structural concern.

To answer this question, we must first define a warranty. Individual state statutes and the Uniform Commercial Code provide basic consumer protection. In lieu of this, manufacturers may issue a written scope of coverage and exclusions, their warranty. As a rule of thumb, any newly installed roof level equipment that does not penetrate the roof system, impede drainage or cause damage or degradation, will not arbitrarily void a warranty. Rain, mist or frost does not compromise a warranty. As each roof is unique in addressing this issue, eCOOLogy Systems Inc., performs a survey/evaluation of existing roof conditions to provide the manufacturer with data pertaining to each custom installation. Upon manufacturer acknowledgement that their warranty will not be voided, installation can begin. Unfortunately this same precautionary measure is seldom taken prior to the installation of roof antennas, satellite dishes, exhaust vents, walkpads, changes in mechanical units, change in building occupancy, new roof coatings etc.

No - Unlike a reflective roof coating that becomes part of the roof system when applied, the eCOOLogy system is roof level equipment, not a part of the roof system. The Uniform Building Code and other widely adopted codes; require roof systems and roof coatings to provide a fire rating based upon building construction and occupancy per UL 790 Standard. The roof system is defined as a specific configuration of materials that when assembled on your roof becomes the waterproofing membrane. A roof system is tested as the sum of these individual components, including the roof deck and any reflective coatings. Any deviation or addition to this specific assembly can render the roof system without a fire rating. Roof coating manufacturers face an awesome task for approvals over countless types of roof decks and roof system configurations. Each manufacturer receives a written approval listing each component of the configuration. An owner should always ask for written approvals to confirm any applications over their particular roof assembly. Numerous manufacturer approvals are listed on the Underwriters Laboratories web site "www.ul.com/database/index.html" .

The eCOOLogy system provides “cool air zones” above the roof system and can be configured to dissipate air temperatures at critical areas surrounding mechanical equipment. An estimated reduction of 75°F at air intakes, coils and compressors would have a positive economic impact on equipment maintenance and life cycle.

A reflective roof coating does exactly that; it reflects rather than dissipates heat. The coating does not reduce actual roof top air temperature; it simply reflects the heat (UV and visible light rays from the sun) upward from the roof surface. Concentrated roof areas with elevated temperatures reaching mechanical compressors, coils and air intakes can actually add to equipment strain, an economic impact that should be factored into true costs of an energy management program.

There are many sophisticated approaches to monitoring energy use. The simplest method to determine actual reduction in utility usage starts with estimating heat flow through a roof. The roof of a typical tilt-up building with R19 insulation will introduce approximately 110 BTU's per square foot into the envelope of a building over the course of an 85 degree day (this may need to adjusted depending on the makeup and insulation of your specific building). When that same roof is sprinkled, it will produce only 20 BTU's per square foot. Once the total number of BTU's removed is determined, convert that figure to tonnage by dividing the total BTU's by 12,000, and multiply the tonnage by 1.3 to determine the KWh saved. Finally, multiply the total KWh by your cost per KWh, and you can estimate the total reduction in electrical costs. To estimate annual savings, determine how many 70 degree (or greater) days you have in your area, and multiply this daily savings by that figure.

No – Insulation slows down the process of heat transfer but does not stop it. The rate of transfer through the underside into the interior of the building is determined in part by the R-Value of your insulation. The eCOOLogy evaporative cooling system dissipates the heat before it reaches your underside insulation, thus reducing the temperature of the roof surface and radiant heat transfer through the insulation. The reduction in radiant heat transfer actually makes whatever insulation you have more effective.

All products or equipment have an anticipated or definitive life cycle. Some products will continue to perform at the same or near the initial performance level throughout their expected life. Other products through “aging or aged” factors decrease in efficiency over time. eCOOLogy systems require maintenance as any other equipment or product does but experiences no decrease in efficiency with age.

Reflective roof coatings, as the name implies, are not a waterproofing membrane. Their inherent composition provides protection and reflectivity through sacrificial degradation. “Aging or Aged” performance is the difference between their initial applied level of efficiency and decreased efficiency as the coating ages. Dependent upon the coating, the reduction in efficiency can vary, but it is inherent to all coatings. As reflective coatings are subject to wear by all roof traffic, contaminates, dirt, debris, reduced maintenance, etc., any anticipated “aging” factor might be accelerated. This is supported by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory / U.S. Department of Energy. They have a current, reflective roof coating study with the SPRI-Single Ply Roofing Institute www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/research/reflective.htm  and have completed a long-term study with the NRCA – National Roofing Contractors Association demonstrating reflective degradation. www.ornl.gov/roofs%2bwalls/roof/coatings.html