Why You Need An Energy Efficient Roof
Every year, the cost of utility bills continues to rise across the county. Now, even simple tasks like turning on a light or heating or cooling your home can cost hundreds of dollars a month. This increased cost in utilities is, in part, why there is now a push to build more energy efficient homes. Homeowners today are encouraged to not only use energy efficient roofs and appliances, but energy efficient building materials as well.
One such building material that can make a significant impact on the energy efficiency of a home is an energy efficient roof.
What is a Energy Efficient Roof?
The roof of your home is the first thing the sun touches. When roofs are made of certain materials or are darkly colored, they tend to attract and absorb more heat. For example. dark colored asphalt shingle roofs attract more heat than white roofs or lightly colored roofs. Darker colors cause the roof and therefore the entire home to become hotter, especially in the summer months.
In turn, this causes the temperature inside your home to rise. As a result your Air Conditioning system has to work harder to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. This is what leads utility bills to become so costly.
To combat these issues, homeowners can install energy efficient roofing shingles that are designed to help keep homes cooler so that they have lower utility costs. These roofs are made from different materials and usually come in lighter, more reflective colors that bounce the sun’s UV rays away from the home. Energy efficient roofing shingles allow the home to stay cooler and require the AC system to work less, saving the homeowner money every month.
Benefits of an Energy Efficient Roof
1. Reduced Utility Bills
One of the most notable benefits to installing an energy efficient roof is that they can help lower utility costs, especially during the summer months. Energy efficient roofing allows homes to stay cooler and rely less on their air conditioner, since the home will attract less heat. By installing an energy efficient roof, you can save anywhere from 7 to 15 percent on your utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. A Cooler Home
Summers are notorious for their high temperatures, especially in specific regions of the country. Certain kinds of roofs tend to absorb the sun’s UV rays, trapping the heat. This heat enters the home and causes the temperature to rise, which can create an uncomfortable living environment. By using energy efficient residential roofing, you ensure your roof doesn’t absorb extra heat and cause your home’s temperature to rise.
3. Environmentally Friendly
Another benefit that comes with energy-efficient roofing shingles is that they are a more environmentally friendly option, in a few different ways. For one, these roofs tend to last longer without requiring replacing, which means less material waste ends up in landfills.
These roofs also allow the homeowner to rely less on air conditioning, which means there are fewer harmful greenhouse gases emitted and therefore less air pollution.
Types of Energy Efficient Roofing Materials
Asphalt
Not all asphalt shingles are energy efficient roofing shingles, but some have earned the Energy Star rating. Asphalt is a common and popular choice in roofing material for the selection of colors and affordability. These shingles are fairly durable on impact but can get dislodged and require replacing and repairs.
Metal
Metal roofing is one of the many energy-efficient roofing materials homeowners can choose for their roofing needs. Metal roofs can be composed of panels or tiles, and they come in a variety of styles and colors. Because they are metal, they are highly reflective to UV rays and a reasonably durable option. However, they are easily dented or damaged and difficult to replace when necessary.
Tile
There are different kinds of tile roofing options available: concrete, clay, and ceramic. Each provides a beautiful aesthetic and comes in various styles and colors that lend themselves to energy efficiency. Concrete is one material that is extremely popular in hotter climates for its ability to keep houses consistently cool. The issue with tile roofing is that it is heavy and requires additional structural support to ensure the home doesn’t collapse under the weight.
Slate
Slate tile roofing is another option which, while dark like asphalt shingles, can be sprayed with special, reflective coatings that make it more energy-efficient. Slate is an extremely durable option that is capable of taking an impact. However, like with other tile options, slate roofing is very heavy and requires added structural support so that the home doesn’t collapse.
Synthetic
Another option for energy-efficient residential roofing is synthetic, polyurethane tiles. These tiles are lightweight, highly durable, and incredibly eco-friendly. This means it increases the home’s energy-efficiency and makes it possible for the building to stay warm during the cold months and cooler during the summer months.
Choose a Energy Efficient Roof
The energy-efficient roof you choose depends on a few different areas: your budget, your location, and the upkeep you are willing to commit to. For the best, most maintenance-free and energy efficient roof option, synthetic roofing is the way to go.
CeDUR is a solid product with color throughout and provides an insulation R-Value above 2.0. This may help you save money on your home’s energy bills. Energy efficient roofing shingles like CeDUR not only provide stunning curb appeal and durability but they can also improve the insulation value of your roof.
CeDUR’s roofing products are low maintenance, Class A Fire Rated, Class 4 Impact Rated and can withstand strong winds.
Energy costs continue to rise every year across the country. While nothing can be done about the rising prices themselves, homeowners can do everything in their power to lower their energy costs as much as possible.
