Green Your Roof: Harvest Rainwater

We hope that President Obama's recent decision to install solar panels on the White House roof will inspire others to rethink their shingles. This week's tips are about methods to make your roof eco-friendly. 

Tip #4: Install a Rainwater Harvesting System

When raindrops fall on your roof, they needn't be wasted. Connect your gutter to a catchment device such as a rain barrel to collect and store the water for later use in your garden. Clay, slate, and cement tiled roofs work best for rainwater collection. Unfortunately, some roofing materials, such as asphalt, may leach toxins into the water.

Tell us: How do you conserve water?