Have you suddenly noticed an unexplained rise in your monthly electricity bills? If so, you should have your roof inspected to see if it needs to be improved or replaced. Studies have shown that an old roof can increase your energy costs, mainly because they’re built with outdated roofing materials that are less energy efficient.
So, installing new roofing materials will make your home more energy efficient and cut down your monthly utility bills. This article shows how new roofing materials improve your home’s heating efficiency.
How Your Roof Affects Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Different parts of your home directly affect your home’s energy efficiency. From drafty doors to open windows and old roofs, each part of your home can cause your monthly energy costs to go up. The primary purpose of a roof is to prevent excess outdoor temperatures and humidity levels from seeping into the house.
As your roof ages, the roofing materials lose their grit, allowing the external elements to seep into your house. These elements disrupt your home’s internal temperature, causing your HVAC system to overwork to balance temperatures in the house. The more your HVAC system works, the more energy it consumes.
How a New Roof Improves Heating Efficiency
You need to make several essential considerations when you’re considering installing a new roof to save your home’s energy costs. The energy efficiency of your roof depends on various factors, including roofing materials. Here are the essential factors to consider when installing your new roofing materials to ensure they’re energy efficient.
Solar Reflection
Roofing materials that can reflect solar light are more energy efficient. So, when replacing your old roof, ensure the new roofing materials can quickly reflect sunlight. If your roofing materials can’t reflect solar light, they’ll absorb heat and allow heat to enter your house, causing your HVAC system to overwork.
Energy Star Rating
When replacing your old roof, choose roofing materials with an energy star rating. This is the mark of energy efficiency. Roofing materials with this star label will help reduce your home’s energy consumption.
Color
Dark shingles are known to absorb more heat. So, if you live in a generally hot area, you should be careful when selecting the color of your roof. Dark shingles are ideal for homes in cold-weather regions.