How can the color of my roof affect energy consumption?

One simple energy-saving choice for people living in warm climates is to choose a light-colored roof. Roofs are typically a dark color, often because they’re made out of asphalt. Dark colors absorb heat, so dark roofs can heat up the buildings, sometimes by as much as 30 degrees, especially in hot climates such as Arizona and California. By simply choosing a lighter colored roof, you can reflect enough heat to significantly impact your air conditioning bills, and the impact of all that extra energy consumption on the environment.