A roof that is energy efficient can help you save money, protect the environment, and keep you comfortable. Some energy-saving measures are only applicable during the installation process, while others can be applied to finished roofs. Here are some energy-efficient measures to make your roof more energy efficient.
Choose Energy-Efficient Material Roofing materials vary in the amount of heat they reflect and how it affects them. Because they don’t let heat from the sun heat up your home too much, the materials that reflect the most heat will be the most energy-efficient.
Choosing roofing materials that have an ENERGY STAR rating is the best way to make sure they are energy-efficient. Material with this rating reflects more heat that they absorb. ENERGY STAR material also emits more heat than they retain.
Light-Colored Roof Dark-colored roofs absorb more heat than those with lighter colors, with white being the most reflective. Dark roofs can reach temperatures around 150°F in the summer. Light-colored roofs, however, can stay 50°F cooler. A cool roof surface will reflect more heat, which means less heat entering the building’s interior.
For good energy efficiency, light-colored materials are best for roof replacement or installation. To increase the energy efficiency of your roof, you can apply reflective paint or coating.
Insulate Properly In the summer, insulation material stops outdoor heat from heating the house. The insulation stops indoor heat from leaving the house during winter. These two factors ensure that your HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning system) doesn’t work too hard. The type and thicknesses of insulation materials determine how effective they are at preventing heat exchange. Your roofing contractor can help you select the right insulation for your home and climate.
Maintain Proper Ventilation Although you need to insulate your home to keep out the elements, it will reduce energy efficiency. Ventilation is essential to allow heat to escape from the house or escape the house when it is needed.
The attic ventilation will be a great help in keeping the heat out of your house during the summer. Ventilation ensures that the house is not too hot and that your air conditioner does not overwork.
Install a Radiant Barrier The heat from the sun heats your house through convection, conduction and radiation. Conventional insulation materials prevent heat transfer via convection, conduction and radiation. Some heat can therefore reach the interior of the house.
Radiant barriers are reflective materials, such as aluminum, that block heat transfer via radiation. The radiant barrier is installed in the attic. It blocks most radiation from the roof.
Installing a Living Roof A living roof is a roof that has vegetation growing on it. The vegetation acts as an insulation layer on the roof by absorbing heat and keeping it from piercing the roofing materials. A living roof can only be installed on an existing roof.
Keeping the roof up Energy efficiency can also be improved by proper roof maintenance. Listed below are some of the causes of energy inefficiency:
- Shingles missing or damaged
- Flashing missing or damaged
- Insulation that is damaged
Energy efficiency will be affected if heat escapes or gets into the house. You can make your roof more energy efficient by inspecting it regularly for damage. Reggie Reed Roofing can assist you in any way you need to build an energy-efficient roofing system.
Contact us today to discuss ways to increase your roof’s energy efficiency.
This post was written by Reggie Reed! Reggie is a state-certified roofing contractor and co-owner of Reggie Reed Roofing, the best Pinellas County commercial roofing company. He is a 4th generation roofing contractor. RR Roofing offers a wide variety of roofing services for residential homes, apartment complexes, condos, commercial buildings, churches, and more. Reggie enjoys dedicating his spare time to helping underprivileged youth in his community and traveling with his family and friends.
