Dark Roofs & Urban Heat: Lobbying Impact
- As global temperatures rise, the debate over cool roofs and their impact on energy efficiency has intensified.
- The energy-efficient roofing concept is simple: light-colored roofs reflect sunlight, keeping buildings cooler, while dark roofs absorb heat, raising temperatures inside and in the surrounding air.given that roofs...
- At least eight states and more than a dozen cities have implemented cool-roof requirements, according to the Smart Surfaces Coalition.
Discover the battleground over cool roofs and their impact on urban heat! Light-colored roofs drastically reduce energy consumption compared to dark roofs, a critical factor in combating rising global temperatures. This article explores the fight: While numerous cities and states mandate energy-efficient roofing, industry lobbyists push back against expanding these recommendations, citing inconclusive data and regional climate variations. See how a Baltimore homeowner slashed electricity costs by 24% by switching to a white roof. Explore the counterarguments presented by industry groups and the ongoing debate over cool roof initiatives. We see how News Directory 3 can definitely help break down complex issues. What will the future hold for this climate-conscious technology? Discover what’s next as the fight continues.
Cool roofs become a climate change battleground
Updated June 08, 2025
As global temperatures rise, the debate over cool roofs and their impact on energy efficiency has intensified. Light-colored roofs can be more than 50 degrees cooler than dark roofs, reducing energy consumption, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating heat-related illnesses. A recent study indicated that reflective roofs could have saved over 240 lives during London’s 2018 heatwave.
The energy-efficient roofing concept is simple: light-colored roofs reflect sunlight, keeping buildings cooler, while dark roofs absorb heat, raising temperatures inside and in the surrounding air.given that roofs constitute up to one-fourth of the surface area in major U.S. cities, their color significantly impacts urban temperatures.
At least eight states and more than a dozen cities have implemented cool-roof requirements, according to the Smart Surfaces Coalition. However, industry representatives have actively lobbied against expanding cool roof recommendations in national energy efficiency codes.
Bill Updike of the Smart Surfaces Coalition, who formerly installed solar panels, noted the intense heat that dark roofs can reach. “You can physically burn your hands on these roofs,” Updike said.
Numerous studies support the benefits of light-colored roofs, which generally cost no more than dark roofs. A Department of energy study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that a cool roof on a California home saved 20% in annual energy costs.
Owen Henry, a baltimore homeowner, experienced firsthand the impact of a cool roof. After applying $100 worth of white reflective paint to his roof in 2023, he and his wife saw an immediate drop in indoor temperature and a 24% reduction in electricity use.
While black synthetic rubber (EPDM) was once dominant in commercial roofing, it has been overtaken by TPO, a white plastic material better suited for reflective roofs. Leading EPDM manufacturers have resisted regulations that could further reduce their market share.
Kurt Shickman, former executive director of the Global Cool Cities Alliance, said these companies possess the resources to employ influential lobbyists.
The EPDM industry has funded research suggesting that the impact of cool-roof mandates is inconclusive and that insulation is more critical for energy savings.Ellen Thorp of the EPDM Roofing Association argued that many studies supporting cool roofs overlook factors like local climate, roof type, tree canopy, and insulation thickness.
Thorp also cited a Harvard study indicating that white roofs and pavements might decrease precipitation, possibly increasing temperatures in surrounding areas. However, urban heat expert Haider Taha criticized the Harvard study, stating that it’s conclusions lack actionable insights for urban cooling strategies.
During a 2022 debate on a cool roof ordinance in Baltimore, Thorp’s group and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) argued that dark roofs are more efficient in northern climates. They claimed that cool roofs could increase winter heating bills.
Thorp wrote in a letter to a council member, “Current research does not support the adoption of cool roofs as a measure that will achieve improved energy efficiency or reduced urban heat island.”
Though, multiple studies contradict this, showing that reflective roofs save energy and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Researchers have also found that energy savings from cool roofs during warmer months outweigh any added winter heating costs, even in colder North American climates.
Despite opposition,Baltimore passed a cool-roof ordinance in 2023.
ARMA Executive Vice President Reed Hitchcock said cool roof mandates are not a “magic bullet” and urged regulators to consider a “whole building approach” that includes insulation, shading, and climate.
Henry,the Baltimore homeowner,supports the city’s ordinance. “Phooey to any manufacturer that’s going to try and stop us from maintaining our community and making it a pleasant place to live,” he said.
Industry lobbyists have successfully opposed cool-roof ordinances in Denver and stricter standards set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Thorp stated that they have prevented mandates from extending into climate zones 4 and 5.
Another group led by Thorp, the Coalition for Enduring Roofing, helped eliminate tennessee’s cool-roof requirement, which had expanded to include Nashville.
Brian Spear, an Arizona homeowner, noted the increasing number of days exceeding 110 degrees in recent years. He plans to install a gray metal roof with a reflective coating on his Airbnb home.
“If someone told me you couldn’t put a dark roof on your house…I’d understand,” Spear said. “I’m all about it being for the common good.”
What’s next
The debate over cool roofs and energy-efficient roofing is expected to continue as cities and states grapple with rising temperatures and the need to reduce energy consumption. The success of cool roof initiatives will depend on balancing environmental benefits with industry concerns and regional climate variations.