When people think of energy efficiency in their homes, they often think of windows and doors—the vulnerable points of a house’s structure protected only by glass paneling and moving parts.
Homeowners might not consider the fact that their roofs play an integral part of energy efficiency in their house, and a roof that is in dire need of replacement could be the reason why those energy bills are so high each month.
Many homeowners steer clear of energy-efficient roofs in fear that their options may be limited, but these days, there are more ways to make your roof energy efficient than ever, and there might even be tax incentives to do so.
SPF shingles are a material commonly utilized for energy efficient roofs. During the warmer months, shingles that aren’t SPF rated can absorb the UV radiation and heat of the sun beating down on your roof, dramatically increasing the temperature of your home.
Properly designed roofs with ventilation and SPF shingles will prevent heat from retaining and raising the internal temperatures of a house. A roof without SPF rated shingles will have no way to combat this, and especially if the home isn’t under the shade of a tree, energy efficiency can go by the wayside during the summer.
SPF shingles offer temperature control for homes without shade and exposed to the sun and make an energy efficiently roof what it is—energy efficient.
Energy Star roofing means a more energy efficient home, which in turn, equates to an immensely reduced impact on the environment. According to Energy Star, Americans spend about $40 billion each year to air condition buildings.
Of course, the poorer a roof performs in regulating temperatures, the more we are inclined to turn up the heat or crank the air conditioning to compensate. An energy efficient roof will reduce the need for residential homes to pump the air conditioning or heat. With an energy efficient roof, we can dramatically lower this number and lessen our environmental footprint.
While it’s obvious that an energy efficient roof will undoubtedly lower your energy costs, many homeowners do, in fact, overlook the role of a roof in their homes’ overall energy conservation. A roof is just as essential to your energy savings as proper replacement windows and weather-stripped doors.
Energy efficiency means maintaining appropriate energy levels throughout all four seasons, not just during the extremely hot or terribly cold months. Heat rises, and a poor roof will let heat escape through its eaves, but an energy efficient roof recirculates and maintains the heat inside of your home, preventing your heating system from working overtime.
An energy efficient roof does just that, and when installed properly, its ventilation can ensure airflow for climate control inside of your home.
Any home that sees winter with heavy snowfall is prone to ice dams, a dangerous collection of snow and ice that piles onto a roof. The longer it sits there, the more damage it can cause to the roof’s integrity.
The surface of the roof can weaken from ice dams and even damage the roof’s gutter systems. Ice dams form when the heat from inside the home escapes, melting the snow on the roof. The water then refreezes because of the colder temperatures, forming an ice dam.
An energy efficient roof prevents the formation of an ice dam because it prevents the heat to escape from the home in the first place. This also means that with an energy efficient roof, you’ll see much less maintenance during the harsh winter seasons and be able to enjoy a longer lasting roof.
The federal government’s Energy Star program offers tax credits for businesses and homeowners looking to make improvements to their dwellings and properties that are energy efficient.
The more buildings that are energy efficient, the greater we can decrease our nationwide environmental impact, and as global leaders, this is now more crucial than ever. Visit their official website to see if you live in an area that can qualify for a tax credit for a new energy efficient roof.
The roofing materials commonly used in an energy efficient roof are slate and asphalt, and in comparison to their less efficient counterparts, slate and asphalt are far more easily maintained, requiring little upkeep.
Asphalt roofs are perfect for homeowners in the Midwest as it’s durable enough to withstand the changing seasons without becoming ruined.
Of course, no matter what your roof is made out of, it should still be inspected yearly by a professional, and more often, by yourself, but you’ll find that very little needs to be done in terms of replacing shingles and repairing damages throughout the course of its lifetime.
When talking about a home feature that is focused on being energy efficient, homeowners are often faced with very limited options in terms of color and style. However, because of the versatility of energy efficient roofing materials, there are many options available to homeowners looking to enjoy the benefits of an energy efficient roof.
Solar panels have become a popular choice for an energy efficient roof, and they are easily installed over the already existing roof system. Cool-metal roofing introduces metal panels that reflect the sun’s rays and heat. The highly reflective panels keep the surface of the roof cool, which in turn lowers the internal temperature of the home.
Or you can opt for a more traditional look and choose asphalt roofing, which is also available in different styles and hues. With this type of roof, you don’t have to sacrifice the overall aesthetics of your home for energy efficiency.
An energy efficient roof is an investment that will pay for itself in just a matter of time. With its ability to contain and conserve energy within the home and regulate temperature during seasons with extreme climate shifts, an energy efficient roof can tremendously save on monthly energy bills.
An energy efficient roof will last for years with little to no upkeep on its maintenance, easily outlasting other roofing options. And with so many options nowadays to choose from, there’s no reason to not consider adapting an energy efficient roof for your home.
No that you know why you need an energy efficient roof, it’s time to think about your own roof. When was the last time you checked it? Is it old and worn out? If your roof is past its prime, you’re losing out on a lot of energy efficiency and money savings.
To make your home more energy efficient, replacing your roof will do that and more. Get a free quote today from Feldco Roofing and see why homeowner all across the Chicagoland area choose us for the best roof replacement services.