Energy efficiency is a top concern among American property owners. Your home’s roof is one of the most important factors in your home’s overall energy efficiency in several ways. A roof in disrepair will allow heat to escape during the winter and prevent your home from effectively cooling in the summer. Over time, this will increase your energy bills and deteriorate your heating and cooling system.
If you want to save money on your energy bills and reduce your home’s carbon footprint, there are several steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency level of your roof. In the event that you decide to make changes to ensure better energy efficiency for your home, be sure to choose the right professionals to perform the work you require.
Choose a lighter roof color
If you need to roof replacement services soon, you may want to consider choosing a lighter color for the shingles. This is particularly useful in warmer areas and any areas that receive lots of direct sunlight. Darker colored roof materials will absorb much more heat than lighter colored materials and typically direct that heat inward. In contrast, lighter-colored roofing material is better at reflecting sunlight away from a home and preventing absorption.
One caveat to remember when choosing a roof color is to do your best to ensure it remains cohesive with the rest of your neighborhood. While some may like the idea of doing something unique with a new roof, stepping too far away from your neighborhood’s aesthetic could deter prospective buyers in the future.
Check your roof’s insulation
Poor insulation is one of the leading causes of poor residential energy efficiency. Insulation problems can be difficult to detect, but you should investigate some telltale signs as soon as you notice them. For example, check your roof after a light to moderate snowstorm. If you notice the snow melting unevenly, or if patches of your roof are bare while the rest is still covered in snow, this indicates that warm air from inside your home is escaping through gaps in your roof insulation.
Consider alternative roof coverings
Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material used in the United States today, but it is by no means the most energy efficient. Metal roofing is excellent for reflecting sunlight and preventing absorption. Clay tiles also provide better light reflection and minimize absorption. Both metal roofing and clay tiles can also offer a unique aesthetic value to your home.
Investigate cool roof coating
If you recently replaced your roof, you may not be very keen on replacing it just to boost energy efficiency. Luckily, a cool roof coating can be a simple yet effective addition to your current roof that boosts energy efficiency at a relatively low cost. This finishing layer will lighten the roof and improve ultraviolet light reflection.
Improve your home’s ventilation
Along with insulation, proper ventilation is crucial for ensuring the proper transfer of heat out of your home. Even a well-insulated roof can allow heat to enter your attic interior or the crawlspace below your roof, and a properly functioning ventilation system is essential to divert this trapped warm air out of your home. It is also possible to install fan-based ventilation systems that will automatically activate once the interior temperature reaches a specified point.
Take full advantage of roof replacement
Eventually, every homeowner will need to replace their home’s roof. This is one of the most expensive home repairs that anyone will face, but it also presents an opportunity to significantly increase the overall energy efficiency of a home. Suppose you have experienced issues with higher than average energy bills over the past several years, in that case, an inspection from a professional roofer can reveal any outstanding issues with your current roof.
A good local roofer can provide expert guidance for configuring your new roof to suit your energy-efficiency goals. This may entail a different type of roofing material than your current roof, addressing problems with the roof bed and underlayment beneath your roof’s covering, or adjusting structural issues inside of your roof.
Choose an experienced and reliable roofer
If you are determined to increase your roof’s energy efficiency, it is crucial to choose a trustworthy and experienced roofing contractor who can provide the services you need at a great value. Mr. Roof provides a full range of professional roofing services, and we are committed to helping our clients ensure energy efficiency for their homes. Contact us today for more information about the roofing services we provide and how they can help you increase your home’s energy efficiency.
