Any evidence that painting roofs white will decrease global warming?

Comments

1. razorj06 says:

   October 13, 2010 at 12:18 am

   No… think of it this way: The earth would absorb all of that light anyway, whether it’s absorption by the ground or in the atmosphere. This way, it’s not being absorbed so much by our homes, which means we don’t have to cool it so much, which means energy consumption and use of fossil fuels goes down, meaning fewer emissions and less global warming.
2. Mike says:

   October 13, 2010 at 1:03 am

   Its all about wavelength.

   A dark surface will absorb radiation, warm the surface, then slowly emitt it as LONG-WAVE radiation (mostly infared).

   A light surface will reflect (the vast majority of) radiation as soon as it hits, so it is reflected as SHORT-WAVE radiation (mostly UV).

   The greenhouse gases absorb long-wave radiation much more effectively than short-wave, the vast majority of reflected short-wave radiation will just go back out into space.

   You’d need to paint a lot of houses to have much effect though ;D
3. Patrick S says:

   October 13, 2010 at 1:11 am

   Painting roofs white will interfere with the natural radiation of heat as white reflects all waves in the color/energy spectrum.
   The difference will be minimal, though, as paint is not a true white. Also, heat will still escape as convection currents come in contact with roof material. You would need two true white or silvered layers with an area of vacuum in between if you wanted to make a noticeable difference.
4. World War says:

   October 13, 2010 at 1:55 am

   rofl! So many answers is such a quick period.
   Yeah well i think it has to do with the sun reflecting the rays?

   Oh well i’ll keep up to date with this coz i would like to no
5. NOLA Proud says:

   October 13, 2010 at 2:18 am

   The whole idea of painting a roof white is just insane, but more rational consideration of your roofing material will lower your electricity bill.

   My home in New Orleans had a standard, darker shingled roof on it until my then landlord covered it with a light colored steel roof. I am not certain whether it was the lighter color, or the extra insulation between the new and older roof, or a combination of the two, but my electricity bill was about half what it was in prior years.

   Plus, it kept a tree from going through my roof during Katrina, which is a good thing.
6. Rod says:

   October 13, 2010 at 2:41 am

   None what so ever, but white roofs can conserve energy use.

   This isn’t all bad.

   Here in California, there was a backlash that stopped the state from banning the purchase of BLACK cars. The idea was because they need more air conditioning to keep cool and use more energy.

   The United States Secretary of Energy also recommended that only light colored cars be available to sell.

   For the good of all, the individual should give up his choice of car and roof color, right?

   The individual should reliquish his choices for the good of all.

   One step at a time, we will give up our liberties and rights for the “good of all”.

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