Roofs protect you from the elements and help improve the stability of your house. Built to be durable and resilient, a typical asphalt shingle roof can last between 20 to 25 years depending on the local climate, quality and level of maintenance. However, most homeowners tend to overlook the other aspect where your roof can also contribute – your home’s energy efficiency.
A good roof can help reduce your energy consumption and utility costs all year round.
Shingle color and quality can affect how much heat is absorbed by your roof, and this can influence the temperature of your living spaces. Darker colors absorb and trap more solar heat, and the collected heat transfers to the underside of your roof decking, making your attic hotter. An excessively warm attic can strain your HVAC system, making your AC work harder to cool the rooms under the roof. That said, having lighter-colored and heat-reflective shingles is ideal for improving the energy efficiency of your home.
Roofs need proper ventilation to allow the hot and humid air trapped in the attic to get cycled out with cooler air from the outside. Roofs without ventilation can’t expel hot air properly, leading to higher indoor temperatures and forcing your AC to consume more power to keep your living spaces comfortable. Furthermore, it also promotes the growth of mold and mildew, and can also cook shingles from below, eventually prompting the need for a costly roof repair. Proper roof ventilation improves your roof’s longevity and keeps indoor temperatures more consistent.
The most notable way for your roof to contribute to your home’s energy efficiency is through its insulating ability. The better insulation your roof has, the less thermal transfer there will be. Your attic is where all the hot and humid air gets collected. If there are any air leaks or other problems with its insulation, it can make rooms under the attic hotter, which will strain your HVAC system. This also applies during winter; a better-insulated roof prevents heat loss during the cold season.
LePage and Sons Roofing LLC is a GAF Master Elite® Roofing Contractor that provides high-quality residential roofing services. We are confident in the skill of our roofers and stand behind the quality of our workmanship. To request a roof estimate, call us at (508) 295-6483, or fill out our contact form.
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