Thinking about installing a new roof or renovating the old one? Do not go the general way as all others do. Try energy efficient roofing for the best utility and cost-effectiveness that you would enjoy over the lifetime. If you are still questioning what energy efficiency is, how roofs can add to the efficiency, and how you can plan an energy efficient roof, then read on.
What is energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency is a comparative term and parameter. An object is deemed energy efficient if it can yield more in return in one way or the other than a similar object. The yield or return can be in terms of fuel consumption, energy consumption, energy yield, durability, cost, etc. and normally the comparison is drawn in between an older version or model of something with the new version or model.
This means an old filament style light bulb and a new CFL bulb can be compared where the new one is more energy efficient because it uses less electricity to give out more light while lasting longer and also wasting lesser energy in the process. Similarly, everything of day to day use can be rated as per this parameter. Appliances, consumer durables, and everything is rated as per their energy efficiency. A roof is also rated or compared that way based on the roofing material used.
The role of a roof in energy efficiency
A roof has a great role in making a home an energy efficient home. That is why some roofing materials are called energy efficient ones. Energy is consumed by electrical appliances in a house. And the consumed energy adds up to utility bills. The electric bill gets higher when more electrically powered appliances and systems are used in the house. And if the use can be diminished by some portion due to an energy efficient arrangement of any kind, then the consumption of electricity also goes down, thereby reducing the electricity bills, and your overall expenses per month and annually, in maintaining and running the household.
An energy efficient roof helps in bringing down the consumption of power in a house by lowering the use of electrical appliances which helps in heating and cooling air and water in the house on seasonal basis.
Properties of an energy efficient roof
An energy efficient roof must have these properties:
- The roof must keep the house cooler in the warmer months so that less use of air coolers and air conditioners is needed. If the house stays cooler inside, then the coolers or ACs would not use as much power to bring down the temperature of air inside, and won’t have to be run for longer time duration too.
- The roof must keep the house warmer during the cooler months, and help in limiting the use of the room heaters and water heaters.
To exhibit these properties, an energy efficient roof must reflect much of the heat it gets instead of absorbing in the warmer months and should retain the inner air and rooms from getting heated. The roof becomes a part of the building’s insulation system to become energy efficient. Also, the roof must have enough longevity so that once the house owner invests in it.
It keeps going on and on without asking for frequent maintenance and repairs. Cost-effectiveness adds to the property of energy efficiency surely. Roofing done in a reasonable budget, and lasting through the lifetime while insulting the house really well, is the ideal energy efficient roofing.
The best possible energy efficient roofing options
Here are discussed some of the most energy efficient roofing options:
- Wood shakes are popular. They are chosen most of the time by homeowners for their look and visual appeal. They increase the aesthetic appeal of the house. That is why wood is chosen over asphalt in many cases for roofing. They are durable, and mature with time to give better looks too. Shakes are energy efficient because they offer great air circulating while deflecting heat, and keeping the house cooler in the summer months. The downside to shakes is that they are not great for extremely rainy weather. Excessive rain can rot wood and cause mold growth.
- Asphalt is another energy efficient roofing solution. Also, asphalt needs no maintenance and can withstand nature and stay well for 15 to 30 years. After that it needs replacement. But being a low maintenance low-cost solution, it is chosen often. The problem with asphalt is algae growth, and susceptibility to wind and storm damage.
- Metal roofs are also deemed energy efficient for the excellent property in metals to keep interiors cooler than outside in summer. Also, metal roofs are fire resistant and are lightweight, easy to install, and low cost. This means if you are considering a budget installation of an energy efficient roof, metal roofing is a great solution. Metal shingles can be looked at asphalt or shake and made to mimic that style. But they do not impact resistant and can dent under pressure. Also, metals expand and shrink with temperature changes.
- Slate is an excellent energy efficient roofing choice. It has high density and hence keeps homes well insulated. It’s very eco-friendly and low cost. Most importantly stale roofs last for a lifetime and even 15 years. And through life, it never asks maintenance. That is why slate offers great energy efficient roofing solution.
Other roofing options like tile roof also exist which saves energy. But they have downsides like moisture absorption problem. You should discuss your roofing project with reliable roofers like Klaus Roofing Colorado Springs Roofer.
Finally
While selecting roof color, you must choose a lighter color for better energy efficiency. Darker tint would absorb more sunlight and heat. If you are buying your roofing material from a good manufacturer, they always look for the energy star rating of the product. This rating would tell you how much energy efficient the material is. The better you choose initially with research and understanding the higher returns you would get through life.
