September 25, 2012 |
Federal government agencies are aggressively replacing standard roofs with cool roofs that reflect rather than absorb sunlight. Two years ago, Energy Secretary Steven Chu mandated that government buildings install cool roofs whenever it was cost effective. Since then, several agencies have done so.
The National Nuclear Security Administration, for example, now has about 2.5 million sf of cool roofs that are projected to save up to $10 million in energy costs over the next 15 years. In total, about 160 cool roofs have been installed by the Department of Energy. As roofs come up for repair or new buildings are constructed, the Energy Department will typically opt for a cool roof.
