Understanding Your Roof’s Impact On Your Home’s Energy Efficiency (And How to Improve It)
You want a low-cost roofing system as a homeowner, especially in terms of energy efficiency. The roof is that part of the house which affects utility bills, consistent temperature inside the home, comfort, and even structural integrity of the house.
Underneath we will discuss your roofing system's part in energy performance and how to enhance it for an energy-efficient home.
Roofing Materials
Different materials will have a different impact on the energy efficiency of your home. Roofing materials differ in how well they take the rigors of weather patterns because of their unique physical structure.
For instance, metal roofing has very high absorption for heat and reflectivity. The common materials used by the metal roofing system include steel, copper, and aluminum. The material automatically absorbs heat and reflects ultraviolet sun rays and sunlight, making your home cooler inside. Therefore, you can make savings on utilities since you will consume less energy to cool your house.
Some other energy-efficient roofing materials include:
Roofing materials aside, their color will affect how energy efficient your home is. So-called "cool roofs" are white or lighter-colored roofing materials which help increase your home's ability to reflect solar exposure and UV radiation over time.
Contrary to this, the EPA says that white roofing products stay the coolest under the sun and can reflect between 60% to 90% sunlight, while the cooler-colored ones are about 30% to 60%.
You may want to consider getting a roof replacement for a cool roofing system because of the potential returns offered. Your home could qualify for money-saving rebates from utility and government programs for investing in a cool roofing system from a roof replacement company. Not to mention the reduced energy bills because you’re decreasing your air conditioning use.
If it is quite impossible for you to replace the roof and it happens to be darker colored, you can enhance the solar and UV reflection using cool roofing technologies. You may then top it off using UV-reflective coatings and special pigment colorants that can enhance your roofing materials in terms of their energy-efficient performance. This is especially helpful when living in a place that has very extreme heat and tropical climates.
Insulation and Ventilation
Energy-efficient roofing systems aren’t just for keeping the heat out during hotter seasons. It’s also for preventing heat leakage during colder seasons. That’s why having proper insulation and ventilation is crucial to regulate your home’s temperature year-round.
The attic's insulation plays an important role in your roof system to prevent energy leakage. Your roof keeps minimizing the amount of air leaking through floors, walls, and ceilings, sealing it from the outdoor elements. If you have considerable daylight shining through your attic, your roof probably has large cracks or holes, resulting in higher utility costs because of the energy waste.
Furthermore, ventilation complements insulation for optimum energy performance. Typically, attics are the warmest area in your house. Without suitable ventilation, heat can come to a build and also radiate throughout other living places, and you will end up increasing and straining your air conditioning system.
Roofing ventilation provides a natural airflow by drawing cooler air in through the intake vents and pushing hotter air out through the exhaust vents. It allows your attic to maintain a more consistent temperature by releasing trapped hot air regularly.
As a homeowner, you also present several hazards from inadequate attic ventilation and insulation. Your roof can collect moisture, which may eventually lead to material rot, erosion of cement, and mold/mildew. If these issues become severe and unattended, you may have to hire a roof replacement company in order for the structural integrity of your home to no longer be jeopardized and is worse to deal with than average repairs.
Roof Maintenance and Upgrades
Like all aspects of your home, your roof needs scheduled maintenance to meet its full energy-saving potential. Inspections of your roof twice a year and after storms can help to catch problems before they become major structural and energy-related issues.
As mentioned, attic insulation damage and poor ventilation increase energy consumption. Even if you use reflective roofing materials, if they get dented or torn off during a storm, this damage compromises their capabilities.
You can also upgrade to an energy-efficient roofing system to enhance its performance. From cooler colors to highly reflective materials and roof replacements, you can significantly improve your home's energy efficiency with these investments.
Whether you’re looking to reduce utility costs, improve interior comfort, or are an eco-conscious homeowner, your roof plays a critical role in your home’s energy performance.
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