The answer to going green may be right over your head

PORTLAND, Ore. – New roof ideas could help homes and businesses go greener by slowing global warming and reducing energy costs.

Malarkey Roofing Products has been manufacturing shingles for 50 years and will launch a new, energy-friendly shingle on Friday.

Those new shingles will have special granules that reflect 25 percent more heat. Although it can cut air conditioning and energy costs, the new Malarkey shingles could raise the price of a project by 5 to 7 percent.

The shingles also comply with California Environmental Standards and have a similar effect to going white. 

“When you’re thinking of putting on a new roof, make it white,” said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. “It will have a profound effect on the climate. It’s as though you took one billion cars off the road for 11 years.”

With going white, critics say grime will reduce reflective properties of the roofs. Others say it might not be worth it in a rainy Northwest climate.

Eco-roofs, which benefit from the rainy weather, are also popping up over Portland, with more than 165 eco-roofs in the city. Plants and dirt growing on the roof insulate the building, reduce carbon and control storm water.

“We average about 50 percent of the total rainfall that lands on the roof does not run off, it goes right back up into the air,” said Tom Liptan, of the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.

Anyone in Portland who wants to put an eco-roof on their home can apply for grants from the city in the fall, but white roofs are not eligible.