Comments on: Stimulus Screws Up Opportunity To Create Jobs, Save Energy

By: Niki

Niki — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:17:51 +0000

So what are the chemicals in the paint? You can’t put a water based paint on a roof and you have to have something that will withstand weather and sunlight. I am guessing the paint will cause as much damage, just shifted to another area. Let’s see, how much emissions to make the paint at the factory, mix the chemicals, ship it to the painters, painters driving to the locations to paint, chemicals being added to your roof that no doubt will have some adverse affect with heat by sun or rained on verses keeping you brown or black roof. (Most the houses where I live have brown roofs, not black) Seems like a money scam to me. I’ll keep my brown roof thanks.

By: KathyR

KathyR — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:16:59 +0000

White roof paint reflects UV rays (solar reflectance) and blocks heat from being absorbed.

White roofs do not affect heating in the wintertime because 1) daylight hours are shorter, 2) there are many more cloudy days than in summer, and 3) the angle of the sun is much lower. Insulation (and sealed windows and doors) to keep interior heat from escaping is what matters most, according to Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory. White roofs and lighter-colored pavements were featured on NPRs Science Friday last week.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106733879&ft=2&f=510221

By: Dallas

Dallas — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:57:27 +0000

“it would also probably increase heating costs (and consequentially, greenhouse gas emissions) in the winter, wouldn’t it?”

My thermo might be wrong but I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works. Actually, the white paint is white on both sides. The white underside of the paint surface would also reflect infrared light back down into the house as well. The reflective surface would work both ways, few materials reflect from only one direction, and are translucent from the other.

Granted, a white roof is no substitute for actual adequate insulation.

By: NikolasM

NikolasM — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:02:45 +0000

I really don’t think it would lead to higher heating costs in the winter. In snowy areas it would probably help as the snow would act as an insulant as in eskimo land. You just have to make sure your roof can handle the weight. Besides, the biggest bang for the buck is in warmer areas that don’t get much snow anyways.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:30:34 +0000

While it’s certainly fair to say that painting one’s roof white will save a great deal on cooling in the summer, it would also probably increase heating costs (and consequentially, greenhouse gas emissions) in the winter, wouldn’t it?

By: Eric F

Eric F — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:05:24 +0000

If you can cut your bills by 40% for the cost of a few cans of paint, why would the government need to subsidize that cost?

And won’t the white roofs lead to higher heating bills in the winter? Maybe the government can fund two paint jobs each year, a white cover in the summer and then a black one in the winter. All the paint and painters being used for the plan will stimulate the bejeezus out of the economy.

By: Julia Langer, Toronto Atmospheric Fund

Julia Langer, Toronto Atmospheric Fund — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:35:43 +0000

White roofs are a proven approach to reduce energy use and definitely should be at the top of the list for support. Toronto is providing an incentive of CAN $2 - 5 / square metre up to $50,000 for eligible projects. One of the things people notice flying in/out of Toronto is how green the city is because of our mature tree cover (which is also receiving an infusion of funds for aesthetic as well as cooling reasons). Soon the white ‘coolness’ of the roofs will be another notable feature.

By: FT.com | FT Energy Source | The Source: UK carbon strategy; Oil dips; Clean coal advances

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:29:00 +0000

[...] that paint roofs white having no luck getting US stimulus funds [...]

By: Dallas

Dallas — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:50:27 +0000

Roof Whitening?! How UNCOOL! I only want my stimulus money spent on the COOL projects. Like high speed rail. Now that is a COOL project.

They didn’t get the money, because our elected representatives think like 7th graders. Remember there is also no money for water-works infrastructure upgrades either.

By: Christian

Christian — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:02:36 +0000

I suppose I’m wondering what materials these whitening projects are using. If it’s just white paint, I think that just looking at the benefits of a white rooftop is a bit of an oversight. Use of a chemical paint, both when applied and when heated by the sun, can emit harmful toxins into the air.