Sunday, November 1, 2009

Take time to learn facts on white roofs

Peter Pike's comment [in an Oct. 29 letter], "Silver tin roofs actually perform better than white roofs," is opposite [the positions of] the Cool Roof Council, EnergyStar.gov, Lawrence Labs, California Energy Commission, FP&L and others.

Danny Parker of Florida Solar Energy Center did a yearlong study with a variety of medium sloped roofing materials. "White roofs perform twice as well as bare galvalume. Bare galvanized is much worse. After two years, galvanized has no advantage over grey (asphalt) shingle -- the zinc corrodes [and] the roof becomes absorptive (soaks up heat)."

Think Tennessee William's "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"!

"White is king for reducing cooling in Florida. We've never tested anything better than white metal," [Parker wrote].

That's why roofs are white in Bermuda.

The studies say painting a galvalume roof white saves up to 10 percent of the cooling bill. Painting an older galvanized or shingle roof saves 18 to 28 percent. The worst, a flat dark roof, can save 40 to 50 percent. Substantial considering air conditioning is much of our electric bill.

It's most cost-effective to add a white roof when installing new roofing. Factory white costs minimally more than gray metal.

More insulation should also be added when possible, but many homes have cathedral ceilings with exposed rafters and no insulation -- or 2-by-6 rafters filled with fiberglass achieving maybe R19, with no room for more. In South Florida, R30 to R49 is recommended for a cool roof, which few Key West buildings have. White roofs can help many buildings gain savings otherwise unavailable.

In New Town, white roofs are a no-brainer. Old Town is another issue, and I sympathize with HARC's dilemma. Personally, I think white roofs blend in well, but then there's no accounting for taste.

This is a community decision that should not be rushed. Everyone should be heard and take the time to learn the real facts on white roofs.

Ross Williams

Key West

Marathon should rethink plant location

A good politician considers all the information available before making a decision. That decision should reflect the best interest of the citizens, not of the politician.

Sometimes circumstances change, and a decision needs to be revisited.

That is the case of a plan to build a sewer plant ... on the highway [in Marathon's] community park. This is land designated for recreational use only, and a poor choice for a sewer plant. Changes are happening in the property originally proposed, land values have dropped and the widespread awareness by the citizens when the property clearing began all have contributed to opposition to these plans.

[The state Legislature is considering a bill] to extend the deadline to complete the sewer construction from 2010 to 2015 or later, so the pressure to finish soon is relaxed. The appeal to give us time to revisit was strongly refused by Mayor Mike Cinque, Ginger Snead and Dick Ramsay. Pete Worthington couldn't make up his mind, then sided with the other three while Don Vasil voted to give us a chance to find another solution.

We have a chance to change this single-minded council at the polls on Tuesday. Vote for a candidate who puts the citizens' interests ahead of his own.

Marjorie Mearns

Marathon

Show your support for college library

The week of Oct. 18-24 was National Friends of Libraries week, making it a good time to publicly thank the Friends of the Florida Keys Community College Library who contribute their time and expertise to significantly enhance our services. Although the Friends group was only formally established this year, FKCC has had a strong constituency of generous supporters for years. They have donated books and materials for our collections and made monetary donations to help support library educational events, such as book discussions and art gallery events.

To find out how you can be a part of this outstanding group, or to make a contribution to our library collections, please stop by the FKCC library located on the second floor of Building A, at 5901 College Road, Stock Island, or contact us at 305-809-3194 or by e-mail at library@fkcc.edu.

Juana Careaga, director

FKCC library

Stock Island