8 Advantages of Energy-Efficient Roofs

Many homeowners consider budget, aesthetics, and lifespan when installing a new roof. However, many people overlook the energy complications of various materials, which affects their comfort and energy bills. Below are eight reasons to invest in energy-efficient roofing for your home.

1. Lower Cooling Bills

The roof often gets incredibly hot during summer and transfers heat to the attic and top floors. In turn, the air conditioner can work overtime to cool your home, resulting in high utility bills. You may have become resigned to paying high energy bills in the hot season, but an energy-efficient roof might reduce your reliance on the AC by as much as 15%.

Energy-efficient roofs reflect most of the sun's heat and function as an insulation barrier between your home and the environment. So, your family can use the air conditioner throughout the summer without a hefty spike in the utility bill.

2. Comfortable Interior

A roof that absorbs much of the sun's heat makes your home's interior unpleasant and the summers unenjoyable. When installing energy-efficient roofs, check for the ENERGY STAR labels, as certified roofs reduce a roof's surface temperature by as much as 50ºF. A cool roof keeps your home comfortable, no matter how hot the outdoors gets.

3. Enhanced Ventilation

You may wonder why your energy bills are high if you have insulated windows and placed door weather strips. However, a roof with a poor ventilation system impacts your home's efficiency. 

The attic gets incredibly hot on summer days, and proper ventilation allows hot air to exit your house. Leaving hot air to circulate in the attic heats the roof materials, leading to premature damage. An energy-efficient roof features superior ventilation to cool down your attic and top floors. 

4. Better Insulation

Energy-efficient roofs aren't only beneficial in summer, as they add insulation during winter. When it's cold, you probably want to keep as much warm air as possible in your home to keep everyone comfortable. An energy-efficient roofing system has better insulation than standard roofing and traps warm air in the house while keeping out unheated air from the outside.

5. Extended Durability

Excess heat damages roofs, and you may replace your roofing system way before the end of its lifespan. In contrast, energy-efficient roofs reflect most of the sun's heat and feature multiple insulation layers and air barriers for superior performance. So, you don't have to worry about re-shingling or replacing your roof as with standard roof materials.

6. Eco-Friendly Materials

Many homeowners have become eco-conscious about the materials they use in home projects. An energy-efficient roof is more eco-friendly than other roof types because it lasts longer without the need for replacement. So, you send fewer waste materials to the landfill. 

Many energy-efficient materials, such as metal, are recyclable, further reducing roofing waste after replacement. Also, cool roofs help reduce carbon emissions and air pollution by reducing reliance on air conditioning.

7. Ice Dam Prevention

Ice dams are common in areas with heavy snowfall, where the roof's heat melts the snow, which refreezes and turns into ice. Ice dams collect at the roof's edges, weighing down the gutters and causing roof leaks.

An energy-efficient roof prevents heat from escaping and doesn't allow ice dams to form. Additionally, a roofing contractor can add a waterproof coating on your cool roof to let ice and snow slide easily.

8. Tax Credits

The government offers various incentives to encourage homeowners to install energy-efficient roofing. For example, an Energy Star–rated metal roof with pigmented coatings can qualify for tax credits of up to $500. If you want to install asphalt roofing, ask your roofer about cooling granules that can attract rebates and other benefits.

An energy-efficient roof is a great place to start if you wish to save on utility bills. Contact us today at P & G Roofing to explore your efficiency options.