H.R. 2679: Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025

The Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025 is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at encouraging the installation of cool roof products in residential buildings. Below are the main components of the bill:

Program Establishment

The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to create a rebate program to assist eligible households with the cost of purchasing and installing cool roof products. These products are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofing materials, which can help reduce energy usage and improve indoor comfort.

Rebate Amounts

Under the proposed program, rebates would be available for both low-sloped and steep-sloped roofs, with different rebate amounts based on the type of cool roof product:

• Low-sloped roofs:
  • $0.25 per square foot for products with a minimum 3-year aged solar reflectance of 0.80 and thermal emittance of 0.75, or a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 99.
  • $0.75 per square foot for products with a minimum 3-year aged solar reflectance of 0.90 and thermal emittance of 0.75, or an SRI of 114.
• Steep-sloped roofs:
  • $0.25 per square foot for asphalt shingle products that meet specific reflectance and emittance criteria, or for other products with different but similarly stringent criteria.
  • $0.75 per square foot for asphalt shingle products or other products meeting higher performance standards.

Combination with Other Programs

Households eligible for this rebate program may also receive other grants, rebates, or financial assistance for the same cool roof products, meaning they can potentially combine this rebate with other funding opportunities.

Program Duration and Reporting

The rebate program is set to run until September 30, 2030. Following the program's termination, the Secretary of Energy is required to submit a report detailing how the rebates were utilized by participants, including whether they replaced old roofing and what products were installed.

Funding Sources

The bill authorizes appropriations of $25 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to fund the rebate program, in addition to $600,000 allocated for updating the Cool Roof Calculator, which helps assess the performance of roofing materials.

Definitions of Key Terms

The document contains definitions for several terms, including:

• Eligible cool roof product: A product rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council.
• Eligible household: Generally defined as an individual or family living in a building with income below 200% of the median income for their area, and residing in a high-heat zone.

The overarching aim of the Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025 is to promote energy efficiency and reduce energy costs for low and moderate-income households by subsidizing the costs associated with installing advanced roofing solutions that minimize heat absorption.

Relevant Companies

• OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. (OWM) - This company may benefit from increased demand for cool roofing products as the market expands due to rebates.
• Installed Building Products, Inc. (IBP) - A potential increase in installations of cool roofs could positively impact their performance in roofing solutions.