The New York Times recently ran a piece called "White Roofs Catch on as Energy Cost Cutters." The article profiles the as-yet not standard choice made by Sacramento homeowners Jon and Kim Waldrep:

Their solution was a new roof: a shiny plasticized white covering that experts say is not only an energy saver but also a way to help cool the planet.

Relying on the centuries-old principle that white objects absorb less heat than dark ones, homeowners like the Waldreps are in the vanguard of a movement embracing “cool roofs” as one of the most affordable weapons against climate change.

Studies show that white roofs reduce air-conditioning costs by 20 percent or more in hot, sunny weather. Lower energy consumption also means fewer of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.

The upshot? The Waldrep’s cooled their home by a full 15 degrees on hot summer days, saving hundreds of dollars in utility bills annually. As a result, they also contributed to the health of the planet. Best yet, it cost them only a fraction more than a traditional “dark” roof would have.

Detractors point out that those in cooler climates might not benefit as much from this solution. And some people just really dislike how it looks. But we’re siding with the general opinion of the experts: It’s sustainable. It saves families money. It’s easy to do. And it’s worth investigating, at the very least.

[image: Philipp Klinger via flickr]