One of the expenses that many homeowners fail to consider when looking at the cost of homeownership is energy. Depending on where you live, the size of your home, and the energy efficiency of your home, this could cost several thousand dollars a year.
If you have ever felt anxious about opening your utility bill, you will be happy to learn there are things you can do to lower that expense without resorting to no air conditioning. You would be surprised how much you could save by upgrading the roof of your home. It happens to be one of the largest sources of heat transfer in most homes. Increasing the energy efficiency of your roof could save you money in a big way.
Methods of Improving Roof Energy Efficiency
There is more than one way to upgrade the roof of your home and save on energy. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks. Some of them are capable of being combined with others for even greater savings. The best method for you will depend on your home and your own unique situation.
Solar Panels
Solar Panels are the best option if your house will allow for it. It not only keeps the sun off of your roof; it also allows for a pocket of air that hasn’t been exposed to the sun to rest between the roof and panels. Even without accounting for the energy, you produce it’s already near the top of the list for efficiency gains. If you live somewhere with plenty of sun, you could even end up earning some money selling your excess power.
Cool Roofing
Installing a cool roof is a great option for places with hot climates. Keeping a house cool in the heat of summer is energy-intensive. A cool roof uses specialized materials that reflect back heat, so less is absorbed by your home. Meaning you have to use less energy to keep things cool.
Insulation
Poor insulation is a massive drain on your energy budget. Every ounce of energy spent heating or cooling your home is being wasted on the air outside of your home essentially. Upgrading the insulation between the floor of your attic and the rest of the home is your best bet.
Improved Air Flow
Use this in combination with insulation for the best results. Airflow through the attic will help keep your roof in good shape for longer too. As the attic heats up, it will cause the warping of your roof. The more extremes the temperatures are, the more extreme the warping will be. Plus, it keeps the attic from getting too warm in the summer.
Green Roof
This will only work on very select roofs. They need to be flat and able to support a decent amount of weight. Planting a literal garden on your roof is very effective at reducing your energy bill, plus it’s good for the environment.
There are a lot of ways to save money in life. Few of them involve making your life more comfortable. Upgrading your roof is one of the few times you get to save money and upgrade your quality of life.
Need a Roofer in San Marcos?
If you live around the San Marcos, TX area, you know how high those energy bills can get during the peak summer heat. If you need some professional help making your roof more energy efficient, contact the experts at Divided Sky, your local San Marcos roofing company. We can inspect your roof for free and help assess how you can improve its energy efficiency.