We all know that light colors reflect more sunlight, while dark colors absorb more energy. This simple formula can also be translated into the house remodeling. The US Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, says that painting rooftops white reflects sun rays and will save money on household energy bills.
Light colored paint, and other reflective surfaces, reduce temperatures along with the need for air-conditioning, which reduces the energy bill. This would also reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, since producing electricity generates its own greenhouse-gas emissions and cooler houses would require less electricity to be consumed.
More pale surfaces could also slow global warming by reflecting heat into space rather than allowing it to be absorbed by dark surfaces where it is trapped by greenhouse gases and increases temperatures. The Nobel Prize-winning physicist said that lightening roofs and roads in urban environments would offset the global warming effects of all the cars in the world for 11 years. This would also reduce the “heat island” effect in urban areas.
According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, by Keith Johnson, California will soon begin to require roofs to be painted light colors. "Using “cool colored” paint on sloping roofs—as California will require starting this summer—would lead to a global reduction on the order of 24 billion tons."
For those of us who think white is not the best color choice there is another option. Scientists are also developing "cool colours" which reflect heat like pale colours but look like normal ones.
So whether you’re thinking of remodeling your home, or of ways to reduce those gobbling utility bills, or even ways to do your part in the fight against global warming, consider painting your roof a light color. Consult a remodeling professional to see which paint is best to use outdoors and which colors best reflect sun rays. Do some research on the contractor you are considering hiring. Check for references from past clients, which will give you good insight into the work quality of the remodeling professional.