Did you know your roof can have a major impact on the temperature, comfort and overall energy efficiency of your home? Believe it or not, a roof replacement is one of the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
There are a number of factors that affect the amount of energy your roof absorbs or loses. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that seemingly small details like the color, age and condition of their roof could be costing them hundreds of dollars per year in utility bills.
Below, we’ll discuss the most common ways in which your roof affects the energy efficiency of your home, along with tips for improving your roof’s energy efficiency.
1. Roof Color
The color of your roof plays a big role in the amount of heat that is absorbed or reflected. In general, darker roofs will absorb more light (and thereby more heat) than lighter roofs, causing more heat to flow into the attic and the rest of the home.
In fact, one study demonstrated that the plywood boards layered beneath dark-colored roofs were consistently 10-15°F warmer than the boards under light-colored roofs. While not all of this heat will enter into the home, this is still a significant number.
In cooler climates, this actually makes dark-colored roofs the superior choice. During the frosty winter months in Indianapolis, a dark roof will absorb more heat, which can melt snow and keep the home toasty and comfortable. On the other hand, a light-colored roof will help keep homes in hotter climates cool during the summer.
2. Roof Insulation
Your roofing insulation is one of the key factors impacting the thermal envelope of your home. The better your roof’s insulation is, the more tightly sealed your home’s thermal envelope will be. Thus, the more energy efficient your home will be.
When it comes to installing a new roof, there are several assembly and insulation options to choose from that can affect your home’s thermal envelope. Optimum Value Engineering (OVE) is one such option, which uses the minimum required amount of wood to save space for insulation. Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) and Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) are two types of assemblies that make use of foamboard, which acts as both the framing and the insulation.
If your home was constructed more than 15-20 years ago, there’s a good chance that your insulation is not as efficient as it could be. In this case, a roof replacement may be a worthy investment.
3. Quality of Roof Installation
Choosing the right materials and colors for your roof is important, but none of those details will matter if the job isn’t completed correctly. An inexperienced roofing contractor may cut corners or make mistakes that will end up costing you significant amounts of money over the years.
Many homeowners have a difficult time identifying a poor roofing installation, but it will certainly show in your heating and cooling bills!
Unique Home Solutions only employs factory-certified GAF Master Elite® contractors, and we never subcontract our work to less qualified technicians. Additionally, we offer a 50-year warranty on our roof installations, including labor.
Contact Unique Home Solutions today for an assessment of your roof and a free quote!