Did you see the article in last week's The New York Times article entitled "White Roofs Catch On as Energy Cost Cutters" by Felicity Barringer?
According to the article, "studies show that white roofs reduce air-conditioning costs by 20 percent or more in hot, sunny weather" and "lower energy consumption also means fewer of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming."
Of course, that's hardly news to Alys Beach residents and planners!
In fact, every home here is required to meet the "green standard" of the Florida Building Coalition, and this is precisely why homes in tropical climates are often white, pastel or otherwise light colored. Light-colored homes = higher energy efficiency in warmer climates. For example, did you know that a typical asphault rooftop in Florida can reach a surface temp of 144-degrees during the hot summer days? Contrast that to 95-degree max of our white concrete rooftops. Save money. Feel cooler. Save the planet. All in a day's work for the almost super-hero-like planners behind Alys Beach's dream-like white townscape. =D
But don't take our word for it. Listen to the experts: