Did you know your roof is one of your biggest weapons against high energy costs?  What makes a roof energy efficient?  Here’s what you need to know.

What Makes a Roof Energy Efficient?

According to GreenBuildingAlliance.org, 90% of roofs in the United States are poorly designed and built with dark, non-reflective materials that absorb rather than reflect heat.

Simply put, an energy-efficient roof is a roof that does not absorb heat.  If the roof on your home is absorbing heat, then the temperature inside your home will increase depending on the outside temperature.  Conversely, if your roof reflects heat, it will help keep your inside temperatures cool.  This concept is similar to when you wear dark-colored clothing rather than light-colored clothing on a hot day, you feel noticeable warmer.  That’s because dark colors absorb heat more than light colors.  The same can be said for roofing.

So, when you are looking for a new roof, pay close attention to what materials you are purchasing and what color it is.

What type of Roof is the Most Energy Efficient?

A lot of roofing materials have been rated by Energy Star, but there are differences from one roof from another.  There are six popular energy efficient materials:

Metal Roofing:

Metal is by far one of the best choices you can make. They are the most energy-efficient for residential installations, can last more than 50 years and require very little maintenance.  Metal roofing is very reflective.  Much of the sun’s energy is coming right back off the roof.  That means they have a high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI).

Clay and Concrete Tile Roofs

Clay and concrete tile roofs are energy efficient because of the way they are installed.  This type of roofing overlaps each tile, resulting in channels that allow air flow and circulation.

Asphalt

These are the most common type of roofing material used on most residential homes.  The new lines of asphalt shingles are now made with solar-reflecting granules that raise the SRI value and extend the life of the roof.  Keep in mind, that not all asphalt shingles have energy-efficient features so ask your roofing professional to point you to the Cool Roofing Collection.

Benefits of an Energy-Efficient Roof

An energy-efficient roof can do more than just save you money.  Below are a few of the other ways an energy-efficient roof can pay you back:

• Lowers maintenance costs.
• Adds to your property or resale value.
• Extends the life of your roof.
• Extends the life of your HVAC system.
• Improves indoor comfort for spaces that aren’t air conditioned, such as garages or covered patios.
• Lowers peak electricity demand.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned a little bit more about energy-efficient roofing, the next step is to find a roofing contractor to install the perfect “Cool Roof” for your home.  At Premo Roofing, we offer metal, tile, and asphalt shingles.  Contact us today for more information.