Residential homeowners can take advantage of tax credits available for installing “cool roofs” that were set to expire in 2016 but have been renewed and are now available retroactively for qualified improvements made through Dec. 31, 2017. 

The tax credit includes ENERGY STAR qualified metal roofs and other types of certified “cool roofs” that are designed to reflect the sun’s rays and help lower roof temperatures by as much as 50 percent. The tax credit amount limit for 2017 is 10 percent of the roof’s cost up to $500, not including installation costs. 

Cool metal roofs can include unpainted, pre-painted and granular-coated metal. Basic, unpainted metal roofs will reflect more solar radiation than asphalt, which typically absorbs and holds heat. For homes in warmer climates, pre-painted or granular coated metal roofing not only reflect solar energy but also keep homes cool by re-emitting most of what solar radiation is absorbed. While light colored roofs naturally reflect and absorb less heat, metal roofs with oven-cured, pre-painted organic coatings that incorporate “cool pigment” technology offer high total solar reflectance and high infrared emittance, even for darker colors. 

“A highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof can re-emit up to 90 percent of absorbed solar radiation. That’s optimal for reducing energy consumption,” said Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance. “For homeowners who have installed cool metal roofs, not only will they benefit by reducing their long-term energy costs, there’s still time to take advantage of the tax credit extension to save even more money.”

For more information about tax credits that may be available for cool metal roofing and requirements, visit https://www.energystar.gov/products/building_products/roof_products