Briefly

* Energy-saving “cool” roofs have traditionally been white, a color U.S. homeowners don’t favor. So Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division has been working on nonwhite roofs that still reflect the invisible, near-infrared radiation that accounts for more than half the energy in sunlight. The first “cool shingle” for residential roofs is expected on the market soon.

* Mortgage rates sank last week in response to a sharp drop in consumer confidence for August, according to surveys conducted by mortgage buyer Freddie Mac and Bankrate. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.77%, with an average 0.8 points, for the week ended Thursday, down from the previous week, when it averaged 5.82%. The average for the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was 5.15%, down from 5.21%.

* Production of new homes slowed slightly in July, but building permits for single-family homes remained more than 10% ahead of the first seven months of 2003, according to the California Building Industry Assn.