We've known since last year that Steven Chu - our Nobel Prize winning Secretary of Energy - wants to paint all the roofs in the world white (in order to reduce the greenhouse effect). Now we suspect that he wants to soak those white shingles in waste oil from commercial kitchens.
Fast Company posted a little article on Wednesday about United Environment and Energy, a DOE-funded research and development company that makes an insulating, reflective, plastic-like roof-coating out of hamburger and french fry grease:
Like white paint, the polymer reflects sunlight in warm weather, but it has the added bonus of absorbing heat in cold weather. In testing, the polymer showed a decreased roof temperatures between 50% and 80% in hot weather compared to normal asphalt shingles along with a 80% increase in temperature in cold weather.
So, if you want to make your home more energy efficient, paint it white, and cover it in oil. Sounds crazy. But who knows. It could be the magic beans. Or at least one of them.
Thank you, PSFK.
GREENandSAVE's LINKandLEARN:
Speaking of Steven Chu: He likes LED lighting too. And so, of course, do we.
Speaking of your roof: We have a whole page of roofing links for you (though none of them mention fast food waste oil...yet).
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