The roof is one of the essential parts of the house. It protects the interiors from harsh weather conditions and animals, provides shade and improves the aesthetics of your home. The roof is constantly exposed to a lot of sun, especially if you live in a hot climate. When there is a long exposure, it raises the temperatures indoors. The high temperatures translate to more energy bills because of the constant use of the HVAC system. Homeowners often focus on the doors, windows and heating units to make their homes more energy efficient. However, they forget that the roof also significantly affects the house. So, if you are looking for ways to make your home energy efficient, do not ignore the roof. The following are simple tips to make your roof energy efficient.
Table of Contents
Install Rooflights
One of the main reasons homeowners install rooflights is to increase the amount of natural light in the house. It lowers the reliance on artificial light during the day, which reduces the amount of electricity used. However, this is not the only reason. For instance, frameless rooflights improve ventilation since you can open the roof for hot air to escape. Therefore, rooflights help maintains cool interiors during summer. The low emissivity and U-values ensure you don’t lose heat in winter. Therefore, you will not worry about increasing your energy bills during winter.
Select a Brighter Color
The color of the roofing material you choose not only determines the aesthetics of your home but the energy efficiency too. Darker materials absorb heat to the inside, raising the interior temperatures. They also release heat quickly. On the other hand, lighter colors absorb less heat during the day and release slowly during the cold season. So, choose the right roofing color based on where you live to ensure your home uses less energy.
Insulate the Attic
Many homeowners don’t realize much heat is lost through the attic. A properly insulated attic prevents the loss of heat or cool air to the outside. If you don’t have proper insulation, there will be a lot of heat trapped in the upper part of the house, which means overworking your HVAC during the hot seasons. So, create a barrier by installing insulation materials in the attic to reduce the need for heating or cooling your home. This will minimize the amount of energy you consume.
Choose Energy-Efficient Materials
The roofing materials you choose can also determine your home’s energy efficiency. When installing a new roof or replacing an old one, ensure you pick energy-efficient materials. Although asphalt material is a good option, you can always go for metal roofs since they make a better choice in terms of saving energy. Besides their longevity, metal roofs require less maintenance.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
The roof should also have proper ventilation from the attic. Without proper airflow, heat will be trapped on the upper inner side, heating the house. So, ensure proper airflow in the space between the attic and the roof.
Takeaways
When installing a new roof or replacing an old one, it is vital to have energy efficiency in mind. Consider the tips above to make your roof energy efficient without sacrificing durability and functionality. Ensure you also install rooflights to increase the amount of light during the day and prevent heat loss.