For homeowners across the nation, energy efficiency is a big topic. That’s because the majority of people spend approximately 50 percent of their total utility bills just on cooling and heating their home. Also, with more and more being revealed about global climate change, it’s clear – having a home that is energy efficient is no longer a “nice to have” feature, it’s a “must have” feature.
Regardless of if you want to reduce your overall carbon footprint, or if you want to save a bit more on your utility costs, an energy efficient roof design is a great way to achieve both of those goals.
If that’s your goal, there are a few ways you can design and install a roof on your home that is energy efficient.
High Quality Insulation
The insulation in your home is one of the first and most effective ways to achieve an energy efficient home. The better your insulation is, the easier it is going to be for your home to not only regulate, but also maintain, a comfortable temperature in your home. Put simply, this means you stay cooler during the summer months and warmer during the winter months.
If you want a roof that is energy efficient, insulation is key. This is the barrier between the temperature in your home and your roof’s temperature. There are two reasons this is so important:
- During the Summer: At this time, your roof is taking abuse from the UV rays of the sun. Regardless of what color your roof is, it will absorb heat. With quality insulation, you an prevent the heat energy from moving into your home. If the insulation is sufficient, the sun and heat retained by your roof will cause your house to heat up, resulting in your AC system having to work harder.
- During the Winter: In the winter months, you are using your heater or furnace to keep your home warm. If there isn’t enough insulation in your attic, this heat will rise and move out of the home through your roof. In addition to being bad for your heating costs and your energy consumption, it may cause ice dams. With proper insulation, the heat is trapped in your home, which keeps you warm and comfortable without having to send too much on energy.
It doesn’t matter if you are trying to make your current roof more efficient, or if you are designing an all new roof, insulation is a key element of any energy efficient roof. You can add more insulation as the roof is constructed, or if your home is drafty, you can have more installed. For most homeowners, this is a great fix.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
If you aren’t sure if it is possible for your home’s roof to be more energy efficient, contact Pyramid Roofing for an inspection. We can let you know how you can make your roof more energy efficient.
