If you've ever stood on a roof on a hot summer day, you know how hot it can get. The heat from your roof makes your air conditioner work even harder to keep your home cool.

If you are building a new home, decide during planning whether you want a cool roof, and if you want to convert an existing roof, you can:

• Retrofit the roof with specialized heat-reflective material.
• Re-cover the roof with a new waterproofing surface (such as tile coating).
• Replace the roof with a cool one.

A cool roof uses material that is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles.

By installing a cool roof, you can lower the temperature of your roof by up to 50°F and save energy and money by using less air conditioning. Cool roofs make spaces like garages or covered patios more comfortable.

As cool roofs become more popular, communities will benefit from fewer power plant emissions and less demand for new power plants. Cool roofs can lower outside air temperatures, reducing heat islands in urban areas.

Nearly any type of home can benefit from a cool roof, but consider climate and other factors before you decide to install one. Visit energysavers.gov to learn more about cool roofs.