As a homeowner, you have a role to play in improving the eco-friendliness of your house. Your roofing and insulation are important when it comes to the overall level of energy efficiency in your home. Note that your roof is a major investment that acts as a barrier and protects your home from outside elements. It’s one of the parts of any home that determines how energy efficient a home will be.
Older roofs can hit your wallet hard due to the fact that they can’t stand up to the high temperatures experienced in your area. They tend to increase the heating and cooling costs thereby increasing your energy bills. You don’t have to wait until a big issue arises on your roof before you can schedule a roof replacement. Your roof and insulation deserve a closer look as it can help conserve energy in your home and, in turn, reduce your utility bills. Keep in mind the following factors to reduce your energy bills.
Avoid Dark Colored Shingle Colors
If you want to reduce your energy bills, reducing your home’s cooling needs would be a good place to start. Note that your roof will be exposed to the sun’s heat every other day which is why you need to choose light roofing colors. While dark shingle colors are popular choices, they might not the best, especially in cooling your home. When installing a new roof, consider lighter shades as this will cut close to half the cooling needs in your home. This applies to those living in hotter climates.
Update your Attic Insulation
No matter the type of roof on your home, there’s little it can do when the attic insulation isn’t in good shape. Having your old attic insulation inspected and replaced by a professional Albany roofing contractor will block moisture and water from entering into your home’s structure thereby keeping your crawl space and attic dry. Updating your attic insulation will prevent heat transfer through the attic floor, ceiling, and walls thereby regulating the house temperatures and, eventually, reducing energy costs.
Invest in Energy Star Roofing Materials
Consider installing roofing materials that are energy-star rated. It’s also important that you choose the color of your roofing material based on your location. As mentioned, dark-colored roofs are good in colder climates while light-colored roofs are best in areas experiencing warmer climate. Energy star rated roofing materials are highly reflective and will help in reducing the temperatures in the attic. Furthermore, installing energy star shingles could possibly get you a tax credit.
Improve your Ventilation
To ensure hot air doesn’t get trapped within your roof’s structure, your home requires ample ventilation. When hot air is trapped, your air conditioner will be forced to work much harder to cool your home thereby increasing your utility bills. When moisture is trapped, it is likely to result in mold growth as well. Poor ventilation will deteriorate your insulation. It’s, therefore, critical that you have proper ventilation so you can keep your energy bills low and maintain your roofing material.
Need help with a roofing project in Albany? Call Ultimate Roofing today!