Ways Your Roof Can Spare You some Energy Expenses

Having an energy efficient roof is neither utopian nor extraordinary, these days. People in search of new roofs, nowadays, consider such options, aiming at helping the environment and saving money in the long run. It’s a win-win. And surely, the route to follow if you are considering a roof replacement.

What happens if you don’t intend to replace the roof at this point but want to do the best possible to reduce energy expenses? There are still ways to accomplish that. Let us see which are the main ways your roof can help you save money by reducing energy loss.

roof_replacementHow cool is your roof?

How long has it been since you talked with a roofer about new materials and new technology? If it’s been a while and your roof is old, it’s probably dark. What is it? Black? Green? Red? Gray?

Cool roofs are the new guys in town. This roofing system can reflect the UV sunrays and radiate the absorbed solar energy. In other words, cool roofs reduce heat transfer, keeping buildings much cooler during the hot season than other standard roofs. While the most recent cool roofing systems include roofs in darker colors too, the distinctive feature of these roofs is their light hues.

Think of it this way. Don’t we all prefer to wear white clothes in the summer? We do that so that we won’t absorb much heat from the sun. Same thing with the roofs. Dark colors absorb much heat and so, raise the temps indoors. And then, the domino effect starts. The AC is used more often, consuming more energy and increasing the energy bills. At the same time, the roof gets worn faster, maximizing the possibility of problems and bringing closer the day you will need a new roof installation. As a consequence, the landfills get swamped and the air pollution gets worse.

With cool roofs, all the above is reduced along with the environment’s pollution and your expenses. Long story short, if you intend to get a new roof, consider a cool roofing system.

Is the attic insulated?

Attic insulation plays a vital role in energy saving. That’s because the insulation material acts like the barrier between the two worlds – the indoors and the outdoors. It prevents – or at least, reduces, the transfer of heat or freeze and allow you to keep the right temperatures in the home, without overusing the HVAC system. This is, surely, an excellent way to save money by keeping a good environment indoors. Don’t forget that the attic insulation doesn’t only keep the outside temps outdoors but also preserve the temps indoors. The insulation of the attic actually protects all roof’s components, the shingles included, of course, while it keeps the attic free of mold.

The good news is that you don’t need to wait until you need roof repair or replacement to insulate the attic. It’s a job that can be done any time. As a matter of fact, when the roofers insulate attics, they also pay attention to possible damage – usually in the form of small holes, and seal them to ensure even better energy efficiency.

How about the attic’s ventilation?

It’s odd if you think about it. On one hand, we need to seal holes to eliminate energy loss. On the other hand, attic ventilation is one more way to save energy. The difference here – the one which explains this paradox, is that with a ventilated attic, you control the temperatures indoors. It doesn’t happen randomly. You see, the attic becomes particularly hot during the summer season and this heat must be exhausted. If not, it will take a toll on the roof and its components, and will return the heat back to the main living space, making you use the AC more. You need air to circulate with a double vent system – intake vents for the cool air to come in and exhaust vents for the air to exit. This way, your roof’s lifespan is increased, while your expenses are decreased. Cool, isn’t it?