Showing posts with label School Roofs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School Roofs. Show all posts

Saturday, October 16, 2010

"Cool Roofs vs. Government Inaction""

We touched briefly on "Heat Island Effect", and heat absorbed by petroleum based roofing materials. This topic is so simple, yet so ignored, that I thought we could devote time today, as it is an ongoing theme.

To me (and I will further explain why), it is beyond irresponsible for any governmental agency, or department, on any level, not to understand this principle. Yet, I see the same outdated, "cookie cutter" roofing specifications, as I saw in the 70's. Who builds structures made of oil? Doesn't that just sound silly?

I decided to do a side by side comparison between a white reflective synthetic roof, and a white modified bitumen roof over R-20 insulation, and a warranty term of 30 years. The energy model (200,000 sq. ft.) revealed a carbon reduction of 77,000 lbs., and an amazing $456,000.00 in energy savings (Courtesy: Carlisle Syntec).

The example was to replicate the general size of a High School, so I could provide a visual. Folks, that's almost a half million of YOUR tax dollars spent without the slightest benefit. None. Now imagine the size of your school district, and multiply. Rather staggering isn't it? Now, repeat this process with prisons, universities, and all governmental structures. Keeping in mind the average energy savings of non-petroleum roofs is 20% (other factors also influence that number).

I am a conservative environmentalist (spotting one is like seeing the Abominable Snowman) seeking maximum benefit of taxpayer dollars, and pursue this with enthusiasm on your behalf.

I've never seen, nor heard of any roofer who does this, and frankly don't think it's their fault.

Where I am retired, independent of monetary influence or having to "go along" with the game, they are not. Please understand I have only friends in the commercial roofing discipline, and understand they have a common responsibility: To provide work, nourish their employees, so they can provide for their families. An incredible task for anyone in business, and I pray for their success.

They need WORK, and it would be cruel of me to criticize anyone for addressing commodities of immediate need. But, if government would get it's head out of the sand, my colleagues would just as easily comply. They cannot complain, or they will be ostracized. FACT.

Okay, that's enough of the shrill tone, but I would encourage anyone who gives a whit about tax dollars to ask your local, state, or federal government "why".

I've had the privilege of speaking to Dr. Steven Chu, Physicist, Nobel Laureate, Former Director Lawrence Berkely Laboratories, and now U.S. Secretary of Energy. Secretary Chu supports exactly what I'm saying here about white reflective roof systems.

Quoting Dr. Chu:

"Professor Steven Chu, the US Energy Secretary, said the unusual proposal would mean homes in hot countries would save energy and money on air conditioning by deflecting the sun's rays.

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.

In a wide-ranging discussion at the three-day Nobel laureate Symposium in London, the Professor described climate change as a "crisis situation", and called for a whole host of measures to be introduced, from promoting energy efficiency to renewable energy such as wind, wave and solar.

The Nobel Prize-winning physicist said the US was not considering any large scale geo-engineering" projects where science is used to reverse global warming, but was in favor of "white roofs everywhere".

Thank you for visiting with me today, and keep looking "UP".
"The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible"
Be good,
Robert R. "Ron" Solomon