Many states have building codes that require commercial
roofs to be made white when they are redone, and cool roofs are a part of the
federal Energy Star program. White roofs, aka cool roofs, are a “hot” topic
these days as a means to help stem global warming. Most of us know better than
to wear black on a hot day, but when it comes to the roofs on our buildings,
temperature often takes a back seat to aesthetics . Dark roofs mean higher air
conditioning bills, and higher carbon dioxide emissions as a result. The good
news is you can save money and help protect the planet by lightening the color
(and therefore the temperature) of your roof, or by switching to a white roof
the next time your building needs a new hat.
The idea of painting roofs white is catching on across the
country; Energy Secretary Steven Chu has said it could help in the fight
against global warming. "Cool roofs are one of the quickest and
lowest-cost ways we can reduce our global carbon emissions and begin the hard
work of slowing climate change," Chu said in July, while announcing that
Energy Department buildings would be painted white wherever possible. White
roofs keep buildings cool in summer by absorbing less heat.
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