Cool roofs refer to painting blacktop roofs white or metallic to reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it like dark roofs. Blacktop roofs absorb more sunlight and heat, raising temperatures on the roof and releasing excess heat and carbon dioxide. According to the Department of Energy, a dark roof reached 62.2°C while an identical white roof stayed at 32.2°C. Installing cool roofs across Rutgers University could save on energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and help address the urban heat island effect caused by dark roofs absorbing sunlight.

1. Background on Cool Roofs
Cool roofing refers to the method of covering
or painting blacktop-roofed buildings with a
white or metallic finish in order to reflect
sunlight that ordinarily would be absorbed by
darker roofs. Blacktop roofs are partly
responsible for the deterioration of the
environment in and around Rutgers University
through carbon dioxide and excess heat release.
The color black is seen because all visible
wavelengths of light are absorbed and none are
reflected to the viewer’s eye. This explains why
black roofs absorb sunlight in much greater
quantities than lighter colors such as silver or
white. According to the Department of Energy,
while exposed to the same temperature outside,
dark roofs reached temperatures of 62.22°C,
while white colored roofs remained at 32.17°C.
As the temperature rises, more heat enters the
buildings, and more atmospheric radiation is
released.
Cool Roofing
An Ecological Approach Towards a Greener Rutgers
Author: Kieran Preston
Advisors: Professor Kelly Francisco & Dr. Robert Miskewitz
Budget
• The cost to cover a 5330 square foot surface (which is close
to the size of Stonier Hall’s roof on the College Avenue
Campus) is $1,814.25. At this rate, to cover 2,000,000
square feet of surface (about 375 buildings of similar
dimensions) with this paint, it would cost $680,769.23.
• $10.00 “Eco-fee” per semester would amount to $801,440.
This would act as a base fund for the implementation of cool
roofs.
• $0.20 of energy savings per square foot on commercial/non-
residential buildings according to the USDOE. If 2,000,000
square feet are to be covered, then 2,000,000 * $.20/sq. ft. =
$400,000 in energy savings per year.
Implementation Timeline
Fall 2016 – The addition of the “Eco-fee” to
the student term bills. ($10/semester) Over the
course of one year the projected $800,000
should be available.
Spring 2017 – Approval from Rutgers
University Energy Institute on the installation
of cool roofs. With the newly added funds, we
would need this approval in order to begin the
construction process. The REI can also
oversee and draft different plans that they
believe would be most effective.
Summer 2017 – The construction begins,
starting with the largest blacktop roofs on the
New Brunswick campus. (Ex: College Avenue
Gymnasium). After these projects, any
leftover smaller roofing that is in direct
sunlight for the majority of the day would be
constructed upon.
Fall 2017 – Construction finished.
While exposed to the same temperature, the
white roof remains about 30°C cooler than the
blacktop roof.
Black Roof Damage
• Sunlight is absorbed and
released as thermal heat
radiation.
• Increased energy kWh and
cooling costs in the
summers.
• Excess CO2 release into
the atmosphere.
• Promotes climate change
by increasing the average
temperatures year after
year.
Cool Roof Benefits
• Over a 15 to 20 year lifespan,
and estimated 508,410
pounds of carbon dioxide
emissions will be eliminated.
• $400,000 in energy costs will
be saved over a single year
span.
• Rutgers has a great chance to
become a leader in the push
towards a more sustainable
planet.
• Cool roofs will help diminish
the urban heat island that
New Brunswick has become.
Exposed to the same temperature