2009 News

January 8, 2009

White Roof Is Green
Environmentally-friendly Roof Installed at Health Dept

As new capital projects continue to progress within Bucks County government, the commissioners and their administration are making every effort to explore and implement ways in which to build green. Being good stewards of the environment is not only sound for the planet, it is in many instances the most fiscally responsible option over the long term, as well.

The roof of the Bucks County Health Department’s office building at the Neshaminy Manor Complex was recently replaced with a new, energy efficient, TPO white roof.  Thermoplastic polyolefin, or TPO, is a white, reflective, energy-efficient and cool-roof product. It is ENERGY STAR®-rated and Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC)-certified.  The white material reflects the sun and in turn reduces a building’s energy use and cooling costs.

Additionally, the roofing company, Jurin Roofing of Quakertown, acted in an environmentally responsible manner by recycling the old roof’s insulation materials. The company received a certificate attesting to that recycling from Nationwide Foam, Inc. (NFI), the country's largest foam insulation board recycler. Recycling the old roof also kept non-biodegradable and bulky products out of local landfills. 

Commissioner Chairman Charley Martin sees green building as a priority, noting, “Environmental stewardship is important to Bucks County government.  Our BEGIN (Bucks Employees Green Initiative) Committee continues to find ways to be more responsible to the environment, and we have instituted many green initiatives throughout our buildings. I am pleased to see this roof added to our compliment of green projects.”