Should cities have initiatives to paint the roofs of there buildings white to lower temperatures?

Question

Wouldn't this lower electrical requirements, since by reflecting heat and cooling the cities air conditioning inside buildings wouldn't have to work as hard, especially on the hottest days which are when blackouts are most likely, lessening the energy pinch, and lower global warming by reflecting heat back into space?

Answer 1

Yes they should. This would also lower the electrical output of the cities ultimatley saving the city and businesses money. On top of this, it would lower wasted energy and reduce emisions from the electrical companies. In addition, I believe that all homes now should be built with light color roofing it would save so much energy and money at the same time.

Answer 2

There is no way that would pass. While that may help, it couldn't lower temperatures enough overall to be worth it. People spend tons of money making their houses look just right and won't go for rules like that. If it's something an individual cares enough about they can do it. We can highly recommend it, but ultimately it would just cause way too much of a fuss.

Answer 3

I agree that this would be a good start, and while they are at it they need to come up with a better solution for black-topped roadways that soaks up the heat.  Everyone knows black topped roofs or roadways are attracking heat.  If we can send a man to the moon it seems like we can come up with a better product the reflects heat from the earth.  Which in return would help with gobal warming.

Answer 4

I think that it should be a suggestion. Some people might not think about this, but would choose to paint their roofs white if told the benifits.

Answer 5

I have thought of that myself.I own trailer that has a silver coating on it to block heat and stops leaks.I wonder why that wouldn't work on homes.it may look funny but it would save energy....

Answer 6

As if we don't have enough problems you now want the government to dictate the color of roof tops! And to cinch it you want to establish a new government agency to do the work?

What hath environmentalism wrought?

Answer 7

well it sounds like a really good idea to me. Between that and adequate insulation alot could b done to lower electric bills

Answer 8

Actually, municipalities should encourage large-box builders to go 'green' with their rooftops. Some businesses are doing this, actually planting grass on their big, flat rooftops.

This controls rainwater runoff, and it acts as an insulator for the building beneath it; cooler in summer, warmer in winter.

Heck, at the rate we're losing farmland, maybe the next step will be to plant crops up there!

Answer 9

I would be happier to see green roofs.

Green roofs have been proven to reduce temperatures in the area of the building, plus they help reduce rain water runoff.

Many cicites have incentives for covering a roof with grass or plants.  Some places are doing rooftop gardens too.

Answer 10

The energy savings would probably be so small in comparison to the polution created when paint companies have to manufacture literaly billions of gallons of paint for the millions of roof tops. I would also assume that the paint could not be a water based paint and would need to be more of an oil based, or laquer based paint therefore even more toxic chemicals would be used in the manufacturing process.

Answer 11

This may sound like a good plan to you, but I live in Buffalo, NY, where my black roof melts the snow on it during the winter.

If the snow was not melted, the roof could collapse.

How about something even bigger?

What if we switch from black petroleum based aspault parking lots to pale concrete (which does not come from petroleum.)

You'd be amazed what that would do.