If you want to lower your energy costs and make your home more energy-efficient, there are a lot of little steps you can take: switching to CFLs, installing a programmable thermostat and switching to low-flow faucets, for example.
Yet there are some big steps you can take, too. Consider your roof. It’s a vital piece of your home when it comes to heating and cooling, since a roof can absorb a lot of heat–a great feature in the winter, but in the summer, you’re likely to see an increase in your energy bills as your home’s HVAC system struggles to keep your interior cool.
If you’re in the market for a new roof, you might want to opt for a “cool roof.” According to the Cool Roof Rating Council, a cool roof “is one that reflects the sun’s heat and emits absorbed radiation back into the atmosphere. The roof literally stays cooler and reduces the amount of heat transferred to the building below, keeping the building a cooler and more constant temperature.”
Cool roofs don’t have to be white–many roofing products that fall in this category include darker-colored pigments “that are highly reflective near the infrared portion of the solar spectrum,” according to the CRRC.
You can choose from several types of roofing products that all classify as cool roofs, including metal, roof coatings, shingles, slate and tile, among others. If you’re interested in installing a cool roof, we recommend consulting with a local roofing contractor to discuss your options, prices and other pertinent factors. Your choice of roofing product will depend on your roof’s slope, as well as your area’s climate.
Would you consider installing a cool roof?
Photo: Flickr.com/NNSAnews
No Comments