In today’s world, every green gesture counts. And that doesn’t end with your roofing needs!
Good news, everyone! Energy-efficient roofing is becoming more accessible to the public and at more affordable costs than ever before; with small changes and improvements, you can increase your energy efficiency while decreasing the size of your energy bill – and even do some good for the planet at the same time.
As a homeowner, energy efficiency is important for saving money and keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. Nearly half of your utility bill represents the heating and cooling of your home. That’s why it’s important to carefully evaluate your residential roofing needs and get a professional local roofing outfit like No Payne Roofing to guide you on your quest towards a more energy-efficient roof.
Here are three easy tips to make your roof more energy-efficient.
1. Add Insulation
Extra insulation and ventilation in your home help keep it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Poorly insulated homes won’t protect the indoors from extreme temperatures. They will use more energy to continually warm the space, which means your heating and cooling bills will go through the roof– quite literally!
You can improve the insulation by adding material to your home’s ‘envelope,’ including the walls, floors, attic, and roof. The loft is usually a top priority for insulation since installing quality insulation is easy and immediately effective. However, it’s also crucial not to forget about the roof. Proper insulation in the roof will keep heat indoors and reduce your heating system’s time to work during the cold months. Living in a colder climate, as we do here in Calgary, insulation is a top priority.
2. Pick a Reflective Roofing Material
There is more to a roof than regular ol’ shingles. There are many different types of roofing materials, each presenting a variety of distinct looks and protective properties. When deciding what kind of energy-efficient roofing material to go with, consider which type would be appropriate for your specific residential location and the weather you experience there.
An experienced roofing contractor can help you determine your needs in this area.
Some popular energy-saving roofing materials include asphalt shingles, cedar shingles, tile roofing, and metal roofing. The key to having a superior, energy-efficient roof in the summer is solar reflectance. Your roofing material contributes to the SPF factor of your home, so opt for a roof that will reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorb them. Weatherproof materials will also save your home from losing energy unnecessarily.
3. Choose a Light-coloured Roof
It may seem strange since most homes have dark-colored roof shingles. However, if you live in a hot area with high humidity or all-day sunshine, you can achieve a cooler roof temperature by opting for a lighter colour. Light-coloured roofs save tons of energy by reflecting the sun’s rays away rather than attracting sunlight.
With dark roofs, the colour absorbs and conducts heat at an even higher temperature than outdoors. This causes rooms inside to heat up quickly and your air conditioner to work twice as hard trying to keep up, thus raising your energy bill. The good news is, you can treat some dark roofs with reflective coatings after they’ve been installed or even paint a ceiling lighter to save energy rather than replacing the entire thing. This is much cheaper and still very efficient at lowering your energy consumption.
Whether you are re-roofing your home or deciding on roofing options for a new place being built, it’s an excellent opportunity to think of how to make your home as sustainable and energy-efficient as possible. Although a quality roof may be costly at the get-go, installing energy-efficient materials will ultimately pay for themselves and save you lots of money (and headaches) in the future.
Remember to consider the weather conditions facing your roof and the climate you live in to gain a solid understanding of what your roofing requirements are.
Be sure to consult with your friendly neighborhood roofing contractor to install insulation and an energy-saving roofing system or discover the best and most effective materials for your home. No Payne Roofing is an experienced roofing team that offers reliable, fast, and courteous services along with unmatched quality craftsmanship in the Calgary area.
Contact us to discuss your roofing needs and find out how we can make your project happen.