BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The “white roof” solution to roofing replacement and energy conservation has been around for decades. But it’s making headlines on the heels of endorsements for the technique by Steven Chu, the Nobel prize-winning physicist appointed by President Obama as Energy Secretary.

Changing surface colors in 100 of the world’s largest cities could save the equivalent of 44 billion tons of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere, according to Chu.

The high-profile support for the “white roof” idea comes at a time when businesses and organizations are caught between a resource-drought and a rising tide of demand for action on “green” initiatives.

One of the leading “white roof” products available to specifiers, contractors and facilities managers, ASTEC Re-Ply coating systems help maintain roofs, wherever heat control and/or resistance to wear and corrosion are needed.

At work for more than 20 years, this white fluid-applied roof has been used to replace over 300 million square feet of various roofing types. It can be used on various types of surfaces, including metal, asphalt, single-ply and concrete.

The Re-Ply system results in a virtually seamless, weather-tight and waterproof membrane that provides all-climate stability and increases indoor comfort. In metal roofing applications, a Re-Ply coating reduces thermal shock and serves as a barrier to corrosion. On other qualified roof surfaces it eliminates the need for roof tear-off, saving thousands of dollars over replacement costs.

The impact of this cool-roofing membrane technology on the facilities maintenance budget, and on the environment, is measured in many ways:

• Up to 40 percent less energy usage vs. buildings with darker roofs. The potential white-roof savings in the U.S. alone exceed $1 billion per year in net annual energy bills.

• 50 percent savings on installation vs. traditional roofing systems.

• Relief for landfills: traditional total-roof replacement generates 8 million to10 million tons of old roofing waste.

• Relief for atmosphere: ASTEC white roof technology provides an annual accumulated offset of three million metric tons of CO2 based on total square footage applied.

For more information, call 800-223-8494 or go to www.icc-astec.com.