There are many reasons why you may want to upgrade your roof. However, one reason you may not have thought of before is the environmental benefit. Even your roof can have an impact on the earth. In fact, your roof can have an impact on your home’s energy efficiency.
What Is an Energy-Efficient Roof?
Even the idea that a roof can have an impact on energy efficiency may be confusing to some people. It is, after all, not something that drains electricity directly. However, one of the key features of any roof is that it absorbs heat. A roof, especially one that is rather dark in color, absorbs the sun’s rays. This heat is then transferred to the attic, where it can warm up the rest of the house. As such, the electricity costs to run air conditioning can skyrocket.
Strategies for Creating a “Greener” Roof
Thankfully, there are strategies you can use to help reduce the impact the sun has on your roof and the rest of your house. These include:
- Color
- Ventilation
- Rating
- Reflection
The color of the shingles installed can have a big impact on your home’s energy efficiency. Dark-colored shingles absorb and retain heat. On the other hand, lighter-colored singles deflect it. Installing ventilation on the roof can help alleviate the heat issue, too. You should also consider the Energy Star rating of different roofing choices. That rating tells you how much energy you can save by installing a certain kind of roof. Overall, having an energy-efficient roof means installing a roof that reflects the sun’s rays.
Energy-Efficient Roof Choices
Of the different roofing choices available, a few stand out as especially useful for increasing energy efficiency. These include:
- Asphalt shingles
- Metal roofing
- Tiles
Of these choices, metal is one of the best at reflecting the sun’s rays. The fact that metal gets so hot when exposed to the sun is an indication of just how much heat it reflects. Another good choice for energy efficiency is tile. Tile can actually be made from different materials, like clay, concrete, or slate. Tiles can also be treated with a coating to increase their reflectivity. Lighter-colored shingles can reflect the sun, too, but not as well as other choices. However, they are the cheapest option available to consumers.
If you live near Winston-Salem, NC, and need a roof upgrade, call our company, Kairos Roofing, for a roof inspection and estimate. We can transform your current roof into a much more eco-friendly and energy-efficient one that will provide you with cost savings on your monthly utility bills for years to come. If you need a new roof, upgrading to a more energy-efficient roof is always a good choice.
