Your roof plays a huge role in protecting your home, providing coverage and protection from the elements outside. It also plays a big role in whether or not you have an energy efficient (or inefficient) home. An inefficient roof may be costing you a lot of money in utility bills every month, so it’s a good idea to find out just how your roof is impacting your home’s energy usage—and whether you need some Orlando roof repair to help improve your efficiency.
Insulation
An energy efficient home is one that keeps the air indoors separate from the air outside—whether it’s keeping cooler air inside during the summer or warmer air inside during the winter. Air can circulate between the indoors and outdoors in several ways, and one of them is through your roof. The insulation levels in your attic are a factor in whether or not your home loses warm air in winter and cool air in summer through the roof. Checking insulation levels and installing additional insulation if necessary can protect your roof from suffering damage from too much condensation in the attic, and can save you money on monthly utility bills.
Color
The color of your roof also has an impact on energy usage. Dark colored roofs, which make up about 90 percent of all roofs in the U.S., absorb heat and can sometimes reach temperatures in excess of 150 degrees (Fahrenheit) during the summer. This excess heat in Orlando roofing materials can translate into excess heat in the building, which increases energy costs. Instead, homeowners should look to build new roofs with materials that reflect heat (called “cool roofs”). Even dark-colored roofs can sometimes be coated with light-reflecting materials to make them cooler and more energy efficient.
Ventilation
A final factor in determining whether your home is energy efficient is the ventilation under your roof. The right ventilation will keep moisture levels low in the attic, which will reduce condensation and improve energy efficiency. In addition, keeping condensation to a minimum will ensure that you don’t have mold and mildew under your roof, which can lead to damaged Orlando roofing and roof leaks down the line.
Saving money is something every homeowner wants to do, and having the right roofing in Orlando can help you create a more energy efficient home, lower your monthly energy bills and keep your wallet, and the planet, happy.