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ROOF COATING HELPS SUSTAIN ENVIRONMENT BY LOWERING ENERGY USAGE AND EXTENDING ROOF LIFE
The project entails coating many of the residential roofs in the 4400 block of Edgemont Street with the Company's cool roof technology, a white, acrylic-based reflective coating designed to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by asphalt roofs during the summer months. The main purpose of the initiative is to reduce the heat in a neighborhood densely populated by senior citizens, one of the populations most adversely affected by high temperatures. The use of elastomeric coatings contributes to sustaining the environment by lowering energy usage and reducing the amount of old roof materials going to landfills. William A. Kim, technical service manager, explains "Nearly 17 percent of all electricity consumed in the U.S. is used to cool buildings. Coating black roofs white can help reduce that number by increasing energy efficiency." Studies show that buildings with the white coating consumed nearly 22 percent less energy for air conditioning in the summer than one with an uncoated black roof. Additionally, the coating also reduced energy demand by 4 percent in the winter. The EPA awards its Energy Star to white and reflective roofing materials, recognizing their value in promoting energy efficiency and conservation. White roof coatings also contribute to a healthy environment by extending the lifespan of black roofs. "Six percent of waste material dumped in landfills consists of old roofs," notes Kim. "White coatings help roofs last longer by reducing the dramatic changes in temperature that cause roof wear and tear, and that benefits our environment by reducing the size of our landfills." Rohm and Haas is funding the Cool Block Project through a grant provided to the Energy Coordinating Agency and in conjunction with its Community Advisory Committee Community Partnership Subcommittee. The initiative provides Rohm and Haas with the opportunity to offer one of its own products to positively impact the residents of one of the company's operating communities. In the tradition of working in harmony with the broader community, the Rohm and Haas Responsible Neighbor program functions to advance the economic, social and environmental quality of life in the communities where they operate and where their employees live through company giving, employee volunteerism and other outreach activities, and community dialogue.
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