Black Roof/White Roof

[Darrell]

I considered posting this in politics or current events, considering where it comes from, but I figured tech might be applicable...

You might have heard on the news that Obamaramadingdong now wants to paint roofs white, to help keep houses cool; no doubt part of the environazis' gobull warmening efforts. Along that line, California has been talking about banning black paint jobs on automobiles and such. So, what's your take on it? I could certainly see a black roof being a benefit in winter, maybe a white roof in summer. In fact, I'd kicked around ideas for roof shingles that have parellel series of horizontal black and white stripes, with each color tilted to maximize exposure to sun in winter or summer, accordingly. Just a thought... Anyway, though black absorbs light and heat better than white, it also radiates it better than white. What's the net effect, if any? Astronomical observatories are generally painted white, for instance, to minimize absorption of heat from the sun during daytime. I would think the white would actually make it harder to radiate heat after dark, though. I'd think the net effect would be zero in the bigger scheme of things.

[Rich]

Basically dark absorbs and retains heat, while white reflects a higher percentage back out to the atmosphere. However, for the numbers we would need, we would probably get a greater effect putting a propeller on a hamster wheel, and sitting back to enjoy the breeze.

[Rich Jordan]

So if you want a dark/black roof, just paint it to look like solar panels or collectors. Maybe get a tax break too. I can see a booming business in shingles textured to look like solar cells...

[Captain Wheelgun]

So if you want a dark/black roof, just paint it to look like solar panels or collectors. Maybe get a tax break too. I can see a booming business in shingles textured to look like solar cells...

No need for fakes... they make shingles that ARE solar panels.

Google search for 'solar shingles'

[Dedicated_Dad]

You could cut emissions by 100% in the US if every state just reduced them by 2%.

Think of it!

New math.. CHANGE!!

DD

[Thomas]

Where I know that Obama's administration are idiots, this idea has some merit, if you reflect the heat away from the house you lower the cooling cost in the home, lowering your energy cost.

And in the 80's I worked for a lawn sprinkler company that would install systems on commercial office buildings to cool them down in the summer.

[Precision]

Plant shade trees that canopy over the house.

Problem solved and we'll have something gobbling up those pesky CO2 emmissions from my big diesel truck.

[Rich]

Points to ponder.

Will it become a crime to leave footprints on a white roof?

And, will all roofers be forced to wear booties to avoid leaving footprints?

This could be the death knell of the housing industry.

[Dub_James]

They probably start requiring you to make sure leaves/seeds from trees don't cover the roof and affect the reflection value. Then they'll mandate you have it cleaned/repainted every year. Then they'll mandate it's too dangerous to do it yourself, so you must hire an accredited roof cleaner, who is mandated to only use "green" clearners/paints, and then.....

Someone please wake me up

[clyde621]

and said cleaner is a member of an accepted UNION