Concordia researcher shows cool roofs cut energy consumption year-round

[OKIsItJustMe]

https://www.concordia.ca/news/news/media-relations/cunews/main/releases/2016/05/31/beat-heat-save-money-cool-roofs-cut-energy-consumption-year-round.html

[font face=Serif][font size=5]Looking to beat the heat and save money?[/font]

[font size=4]Concordia researcher shows cool roofs cut energy consumption year-round[/font]

[font size=3]Montreal, May 31, 2016 — As the summer heats up, so do cities. That’s true not just for hot places like Los Angeles and Phoenix, but also for cooler capitals like Ottawa and Reykjavik.

Regardless of latitude, urban temperatures are typically several degrees higher than those of nearby suburban and rural areas. The resulting “heat islands” mean increased discomfort, higher air-conditioning bills and denser smog.

A major culprit? Hot roofs baked by the sun. The solution? Cooling down those roofs by using reflective surfaces — and doing so even if those cities are covered in snow for several months of the year.

A new study published by Concordia researchers in Energy and Buildings confirms that, contrary to the belief that cool roofs won’t work in colder climates, they actually provide net energy — and monetary — savings.

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[Fresh_Start]

1. we added reflective roofing underlayment when we replaced the roof

it does help a bit.
Its not a miracle cure, but it seems to help

[yeoman6987]

2. I live in Florida and now and want solar

The price is outrageous and my electric bill was 65 dollars so I won't get much savings out of solar. My neighbors got them for 32,000 dollars and got an 18,000 dollar tax deduction. Too expensive yet. All these cost savings want money upfront. Who has that lying around?

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. Go with community solar

http://www.ouc.com/environment-community/solar/community-solar
http://www.gulfpowernews.com/state-approves-gulf-powers-new-solar-program/

[yeoman6987]

5. Interesting

I'd have to see more about it. I'm 24 miles from Orlando so it may work. HOA would be an interesting discussion. Lol. They always are.

[Fresh_Start]

4. I also want to add solar....

there is a solar which combines PV and pool heating which is especially attractive.
But my husbands job is very insecure so its not feasible even with the tax benefits

[NickB79]

6. This is a common myth here in MN (that dark roofs warm your house in winter)

I even got into an argument with my wife about it when we discussed replacing the roof in a few years.

If you have sufficient insulation between your living space and roof, your heat gain in winter from a black asphalt roof should be virtually nil. If you ARE getting heat gain from your roof in winter, you have a big fucking problem, because it means you have no insulation and you'll be venting that heat and then some out to the air come night.