Your roof’s primary job is to protect your home. However, your roof also plays a role in the efficiency of your HVAC system. In Florida where our temperatures are high for most of the year, it is also important that your roof is energy efficient so the heat doesn’t transfer into your home and make the HVAC system work harder. So as a homeowner, how do you know whether your roof is energy efficient?
Unfortunately, 90% of roofs in the United States have poor design and use dark, non-reflective materials that absorb rather than reflect heat. Rooftop temperatures can exceed the outside air temperature. And this heat can transfer into your home and make your HVAC work harder.
The benefits of energy efficient roof
Energy-efficient or “cool” roofs benefit their occupants as well as the environment. Some of the benefits of cool roofs, according to energy.gov, include:
- Reduces energy bills by decreasing air conditioning needs
- Helping you get the most out of your current HVAC system
- Improving indoor comfort and safety for spaces that are not air conditioned
- Decreasing roof temperature, which may extend roof service life
- Lower peak electricity demand, which can help prevent power outages
- Low-maintenance
- Longer service life
Ways to Make Your Roof More Energy Efficient
Pick the right type of roof
As you can see from the post on Energy.gov, there are many options for roofing materials that are available. A metal roof is one of the best choices you can make for your roof in general. Here are the benefits of a metal roof:
- Energy-efficient for residential installations.
- Can last more than 50 years
- Require very little maintenance
- Are very reflective. Much of the sun’s energy is coming right back off the roof.
- Can be covered with special coatings to give them an even higher efficiency rating.
A tile roof is also a good energy-efficient roof choice. You can get roof tiles in slate, clay or concrete. The tiles can allow air to flow under them which enables them to release any heat they do absorb. You can also treat tiles that are already installed with reflective coatings. Ceramic, slate, and concrete tiles are the best choices for having reflective properties that make them truly energy-efficient.
Asphalt shingles are the more common material for roofs. And they have also been one of the most non-reflective and heat-absorbent roofing options available. But there are now more reflecting models available using solar-reflecting granules that keep the surface temperatures low. You can also choose an asphalt shingles in a lighter color that will also increase its ability to reflect the sun.
Make Sure Your Roof is Sealed
If you have a flat roof, make sure you seal it correctly. Roof sealant provides an extra layer of protection for your roof. This protection extends to protecting your roof from the damaging effects of the sun. The sealant takes the brunt of the sun’s rays instead of your roof. This extends the lifespan of your roof, meaning you can go longer before having to replace it.
Improve Insulation
Poor insulation is one of the leading causes of inefficient residential energy efficiency. Insulation is what stops heat and cooling loss through your roof. It also helps prevent the summer heat from leaching into your home. Without insulation, you end up fighting a losing battle against the heat.
Insulation problems can be difficult to detect, but you should investigate some telltale signs as soon as you notice them.
Improve the Roof Ventilation
Along with insulation, properly functioning ventilation system is essential to divert this trapped warm air out of your home. Even a well-insulated roof can allow heat to enter your attic interior or the crawlspace below your roof.
Ventilation allows for proper airflow between the attic and the outdoors. Ventilation keeps the air moving and stops heat from building up. If you don’t have proper ventilation, hot air can become trapped inside the attic and cause your entire house to heat up.
This puts a huge strain on your home’s cooling system and leads to a noticeable rise in your monthly energy bills. Ensuring the roof has proper ventilation will reduce your home’s energy needs and lower its reliance on the air conditioner.
A solar attic fan is an affordable solution to poor or inadequate attic ventilation. Solar fans run on sun power and pull hot air out of your attic to be replaced by cooler outside air. This can help reduce the amount of work your HVAC system has to do to cool your home.
Keep Your Roof in Good Repair with Annual Maintenance
The best way to ensure that your roof remains energy efficient is to schedule annual maintenance with a professional roofer. Damage to your roof, such as loose and missing shingles or tiles, leaks and damaged flashing, directly affects the efficiency of your roof. Roofing systems are incredibly complex and are made up of several different parts, all working together.