U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu is considering a regulation that will require all roofs to be painted reflective white*. The reason is it reflects the suns rays keeping the roof cooler, and in turn reduces cooling costs. Certainly an advantage when you consider a roof can heat up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit in the hot summer months**. A secondary benefit of a painted roof is that by keeping it cooler it can extend its life by up to 15 years**. Considering how expensive a roof is to replace many homeowners have already made this part of their normal maintenance procedures.The cost is typically inexpensive at .50-1.00 a sq.ft. and is easily applied saving labor costs**. There may be one downside, and that is if it lowers our roofs temperature in the winter will it increase our heating costs? It is also obvious that we will save less money than areas with hotter climates year round. This is one topic that needs further examination, and will be updated. You can be sure of one thing, if Steven Chu's regulations are approved the cost of these paints will go through the roof!
* http://reflectivecoatings.org/
** http://www.energy.wsu.edu/ftp-ep/pubs/building/res/roof_coat.pdf
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