But cool roof coatings can also provide great benefits. These coatings have the potential to save large amounts of money and energy, to increase building comfort, and to significantly reduce air pollution and roofing waste. Dr. Lisa Gartland is the sole proprietor and principal engineer of PositivEnergy, a consulting firm specializing in community energy conservation research and application projects. She has a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington. Coating Futures Governmental research institutions and industry groups are in the process of addressing the challenges regarding the adaptation of cool coatings for commercial and institutional facilities.
Industry also is involved in funding studies and in collaborating to set standards.
A website features a database on roofing materials and their properties . LBNL researchers also have urban climatological and air quality modeling underway that is designed to evaluate the effects of cool surfaces in cities throughout the United States. ORNL is performing tests at a comprehensive roof and attic facility. Researchers have produced detailed models of roof and attic systems heat transfer and are studying the effects of moisture buildup on roof materials. This reflectivity must stay above 50 percent after three years sloped roofs must have an initial reflectivity of 25 percent or higher, staying above 15 percent after three years.