How a New Roof Can Help Save On Your Energy Bill

Discover the Energy Saving Benefits of a Brand New Roof

Everyone wants a lower energy bill, right? Energy costs just keep getting higher and higher. How can you lower your bill? Well, one way you can save energy is by installing a new, energy-efficient roof. You’ve probably heard of other ways you can save energy through better appliances, improved HVAC systems, well-insulated windows, and LED light bulbs. But, your roof is one the best resources for saving energy!

What makes a roof energy efficient? There are six factors that contribute to a more energy-efficient roof: 

• Solar Reflection
• Color of Shingles
• Ventilation
• Insulation
• Radiant Barrier
• Modernized Shingles

At Allied Roofing Solutions, the New Jersey roofing contractor, our team of experienced and knowledgeable roofers can provide recommendations for the best shingles and other features that save energy for your house. In this article, we will shed some light on the six factors to keep in mind when determining if your existing roof needs to be replaced or repaired in order to save heating and cooling costs.

Solar Reflection

Your roof needs to reject heat instead of absorbing it. Furthermore, it needs to reflect solar light away from your home to be more energy efficient. The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) measures a roof’s ability to reject solar heat, also known as solar reflectance, and to release the heat that is absorbed. 

A roof that has a high solar reflection can lower the surface temperature by as much as 30%. By raising the SRI from 25 to 40, you can lower the surface temperature of your roof by more than 13 degrees. This can mean a 15-20% savings on your energy bill! Today, roofs have shingles that are made using new technology and materials that reflect more sunlight away from your home to maintain a cooler temperature in the hot summer months. These save on energy costs in the long run.

Color of Roof Shingles

Lighter colors reflect heat better than darker ones and some coatings on shingles add more reflectivity. A dark roof will soak up the heat, which then transfers into the attic and your home.

If you live in an area that has a long hot summer season, you’ll want to look at shingles with a lighter color because they absorb less heat. With light-colored shingles, your air conditioner will run better and use less energy, which translates into lower utility bills. On the other hand, long cold winters may call for a darker-colored roof. A dark roof brings in heat from the sun and is an advantage in colder climates with shorter summers, thus lowering your heating bills. An experienced roofing contractor can help you choose the ideal roof color for your area.

Ventilation

Your roof needs to have proper vents for the home to save energy and for the roof to last a long time. Vents that allow outside air into the attic prevent excessive heat that can warp roof decking and shorten the life of the shingles. 

Intake vents are placed along the lowest points of the roof, most often in the soffit beneath the eaves. Pairing these intake vents with exhaust vents that are positioned higher on the roof causes a natural airflow circulation process to occur that keeps extreme heat from building up in the attic. With proper ventilation in the attic, the roof lasts longer and helps to keep cooling costs down.

Insulation

Having adequate insulation in the attic can extend the life of a roof. Experts say that this can be one of the most important things that saves energy and protects the roof. A layer of insulation is a barrier that reduces the amount of thermal transfer between a freezing attic in the winter or an extremely hot one in the summer and keeps the living area of your home temperature controlled.

Radiant Barrier

A radiant barrier is a coating on the underside of the roof deck that reflects heat away from the attic, resulting in less solar heat. Used with any of these other practices, a radiant barrier can assist in making a roof more energy efficient by lowering heating and cooling costs.

Modernized Roof Shingles

In today’s world, technology has improved the ability of shingles to use energy more efficiently. Modernized shingles have been updated in several ways to assist in preventing damage and energy loss. Updated shingles offer better stability through polymerization, better resistance against heat flow for insulation purposes, and increased metal content for protection from the elements. 

Each type of shingle has its specific advantages in saving energy. An experienced roofing contractor can provide you with details on each kind of shingle and make recommendations for your individual situation.

Schedule a Free Roof Estimate Today

If you think a total roof replacement will create more energy efficiency in your home, contact our New Jersey roofing company today. We can assess your individual roof situation and make recommendations for ways you can increase efficiency, and decrease your utility bills. To learn more about our roofing solutions and schedule a free roof inspection, please call us at (201) 773-0633 or fill out our handy free estimate form.