Paint yo' houses white!

Let me preface this by stating that I do not understand the state of Texas. I believe back in the day, keeping people out of the heat was a matter of pride, and a sign of courtesy.

So let me tell you what happens.

Every company office I go to is freezing. Its like 68 degrees, all the time. Women bring JACKETS to work in 100 degree weather. Men just stick it out, and are cold. Everyone is uncomfortable, and what do they do? They sit around and COMPLANE about how cold their own office is! I often feel like slapping them and telling them to just turn the AC down. It’s often not nearly as complicated as they make it sound. To complain about the weather is standard chit chat, because it effects all humans, and is unpredictable. Complaining about the climate controlled weather in Texas is not only commonplace, but almost systemic.

It is almost a matter of pride. Who can be in the most pain to put on the biggest smile and be the coldest. This crazy crazy crazy world that is the state of Texas, land of Styrofoam, ensures that everyone is way too cold just to burn extra coal.

Also, as a side note – boo and the Smiths for not visiting me when they were down in Houston.

Back to the topic at hand…

There is a lot of data about how much energy could be saved simply by turning up the thermostat in the summer, and down in the winter. We are talking about an energy equivalent of a large % of the car fleet! I remember our Nobel Prize winning Secretary of Energy saying on the Daily Show that if everyone in hot climates painted the roofs of their houses white, energy savings of HVAC would easily exceed 10%-15%. And that is something simple, and easy. Is it really that complicated? Just takes a little political will to save a bunch of $$$.

So if you are building a house, and you’re in the hot desert, get some white shingles.