Cool rooftop to decrease the city's carbon footpring and lower energy consumption. Photo courtesy: cresscorp.com

New Yorkers are constantly trying to find ways to save money.  What would you say if you could save money, live comfortably, and help save the environment?  If it sounds too good to be true, its not.

The NYC Service, NYC Department of Buildings and Community Enviornmental Center have joined together in an effort to promote and facilitate the application of cool, reflective surfaces to New York City’s rooftops.

The goal is to coat 1 million square feet of rooftop this year to make “NYC healthier, cleaner, cooler and more cost effective.”

The cool roofs will begin given to buildings that exhibit roof temperatures higher than the citywide mean.  Some neighborhoods include Hunts Point, East New York, and Long Island City.  Training will be given to green job trainees and community volunteers who will work with site supervisors to coat the buildings roof.

Check out the benefits of these roofs below.

• Reduce roof temperatures to keep the surrounding air temperature cooler
• Reduce internal building temperatures
• Reduce CO2 emissions by 1 ton to help fight climate change
• Coated roofs can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and smog which will improve air quality
• Decreasing the roof temperature and cooling loads can extend the life of the cooling equipment usually found on rooftops