The CRRC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 1998 to develop accurate and credible methods for evaluating and labeling the radiative properties of roofing products and to disseminate the information to all interested parties. In 2019, the CRRC expanded to include the rating of exterior wall products.

Mission and vision 

The CRRC’s Mission is to bring objective, scientific information related to cool surfaces to critical discussions and informed decisions about the impacts of heat islands, extreme heat, and energy use in the built environment. 

The CRRC’s Vision is that CRRC data and resources on the impacts of cool surfaces enhance individual and community resilience to extreme heat. 

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CRRC 2026 Annual Conference

The 2026 CRRC Annual Conference will be held on June 16-18 at the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX!

The CRRC Annual Meeting has officially been renamed the CRRC Annual Conference. The event’s new branding reflects the transition to a three-day event that we piloted in 2024 and 2025 and our aim to make this the premier gathering of professionals engaged in the cool surfaces arena.

The conference will include the CRRC Member Meeting (June 16), Technical Committee and Education Committee meetings (June 17), and a Board of Directors (Board) meeting (June 18). One ticket grants access to all three days. As in years past, the Member Meeting will feature organizational updates, the Board election, presentation of the Marty Hastings Award, expert guest presentations and a complimentary cocktail reception. As we embrace the theme of COOL CONNECTIONS, the Member Meeting will also feature a new interactive breakout session to foster deeper conversations around the CRRC’s activities.

The CRRC is offering a number of sponsorship opportunities for Members who want to highlight their company, show support for the CRRC, and help make this a truly outstanding event! In addition to Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship tiers, Members may also become exclusive sponsors of the conference meals and breaks or purchase ad space in the conference program. Sponsorship closes on March 31, 2026.

Register for the 2026 conference!

Become a sponsor for the 2026 conference.

Meet the Cool Roof Rating Council

Check out a short interview with Sarah Schneider, the deputy director of CRRC, and Beth James-Bourgeois, CRRC's program manager, from IRE 2024!

Rated Roof Products Directory 

The CRRC Rated Roof Products Directory is a free, online database that can be used to identify roofing products that comply with various building codes, financial incentives, and voluntary green building programs (e.g., LEED, Green Globes). 

Each of the products on the CRRC Directory has a CRRC product rating that indicates the radiative performance (solar reflectance, thermal emittance, and Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)) of the roofing product. 

Knowing the radiative performance of roofing products is important for understanding the roof’s impact on building energy use, occupant comfort and the surrounding environment. 

The CRRC Directory currently lists over 3,000 roofing products and is the only database of its kind in the U.S. since the sunset of the US EPA ENERGY STAR program for roofing products in June 2022.

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What is a cool roof?

A cool roof is one that strongly reflects sunlight (solar energy) and also cools itself by efficiently emitting any heat that was absorbed. The roof literally stays cooler and reduces the amount of heat conducted into the building below. If a building does not have air conditioning, this keeps the building cooler and a more constant temperature. 

If a building has air conditioning, the equipment does not have to work as hard. Imagine wearing a white or a black T-shirt on a hot day. By wearing the white T-shirt you will remain cooler than if you wore a black T-shirt because it reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat. Cool roofs, like a white T-shirt, keep the internal temperature of the building lower. 

However, a cool roof does not need to be white. There are many "cool color" products which use darker-colored pigments that are highly reflective in the near infrared (non-visible) portion of the solar spectrum.

Become a member!

CRRC membership is open to any individual or organization with an interest in the building envelope, energy efficiency, urban cooling, and/or the testing and rating of solar-reflective building surfaces. CRRC membership is divided into two classes.

Why join?

• To have a voice in the direction of the CRRC
• To demonstrate your organization's leadership in the market
• To vote on critical issues
• To interface with other industry leaders and actors interested in the building envelope, energy efficiency, urban cooling, and surface reflectivity
• To elect Board members
• To serve on the CRRC Board of Directors
• To serve on a CRRC committees

IRE 2023

eBooks

Harnessing the Mutual Benefits of Cool Roofs and Rooftop PV

Cool roofs and rooftop (rooftop solar photovoltaics) are two strategies that home and building owners can use to cut energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience. This document identifies how these strategies can be used together to enhance the benefits of both. Download the pamphlet today!
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Energy Star Roof Program Alternative

Get the E-Book today!
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Latest Podcasts

Audrey McGarrell - Powerful Partnerships: Cool Roofs and Solar PV

In this Roofing Road Trips® episode, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Audrey McGarrell of the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) to discuss a new educational resource on the often-overlooked synergy between cool roofs and rooftop solar PV. In this episode, Audrey shines a light on how pairing these two technologies ...
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Melissa Dunson and Audrey McGarrell - Shining Light on Cool Roofs

In this Roofing Road Trips® episode, Heidi J. Ellsworth explores the world of cool roofing with Melissa Dunson, director of marketing at Central States Manufacturing and Audrey McGarrell, communications manager with the Cool Roof Rating Council. (CRRC) Learn how metal roofing systems are engineered to reflect heat, reduce energy costs ...
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The Benefits of Cool Roofs

Here at AskARoofer, we already think roofs are cool, but the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) takes cool to a whole new level! In this episode of the AskARoofer podcast, Lauren and Megan sit down with the ladies of the CRRC to discuss how important it is for your roof ...
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Latest Webinars

Cool Roof Rating Council and Bliss Roofing

Who doesn’t need a coffee break? Join RoofersCoffeeShop for a coffee break every third Tuesday of the month at 10 am PT. In the October 2024 Coffee Break, we are joined by Audrey McGarrell, project manager at the Cool Roof Rating Council. Be sure to tune in to learn about ...
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Keeping it Cool- Using Cool Roofs to Combat Heat Islands and Save Energy

An NWiR webinar presented by Audrey McGarrell and Sarah Schneider
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Latest Videos

Episode 66 - Discover the Coffee Shop Media, Sign Up for R-Club, Johns Manville Hiring

Join Heidi and Karen every Friday for The Weekly Blend to learn the latest news in the roofing industry. Episode 66 of The Weekly Blend is here! Join the Coffee Shops’ President Heidi J. Ellsworth and COO Karen L. Edwards for this newest episode of the Coffee Shop original web series. This ...
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Episode 35 - Amazing Associations, A Slew of Exciting Upcoming Events and the CoffeeShop's Growth!

Join Heidi and Karen every Friday to hear what they have to say about all the happenings within the roofing industry. The 35th episode of our Weekly Blend series is here! Join President Heidi J. Ellsworth and COO Karen L. Edwards for another exciting installment of this RoofersCoffeeShop® (RCS) original ...
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