Home utilities are crucial to living a fulfilling and comfortable life. However, no one wants to lose their hard-earned cash to the excessively high energy bills they have to pay every month.
While paying bills is just one of the things we need to do, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be a concern when it’s one of the most significant expenses in your household. Unfortunately, this can be difficult when shifts in temperature force your heating or cooling equipment to run longer and at maximum capacity. As your utility usage goes up, so do your gas and electricity bills.
If you’re savvy about your home habits, you can reduce your HVAC system’s load and keep your bills down to a reasonable level. However, the most cost-effective strategies to keep your bills are those that prevent extreme temperatures from building up in the first place. This includes installing a metal roof.
If your goal is to save money, it may seem counterintuitive to partake in a massive investment like roof replacement. However, spending a little bit more on a new roof can help you cut down on your energy bills in the long run.
Older roofs often break down, which tends to make them less effective at their job. This makes it easier for temperatures and humidity levels to seep in and affect the internal environment. However, replacing it with just any new roof won’t do. Metal is a material with many benefits, but it also has the following characteristics that you need to consider in an energy-efficient roof.
Solar Reflectivity
Heat reflectivity is a critical quality to have for a roof when energy efficiency is concerned. Most homes have insulations that keep it from getting too warm, but it only works against convection and conduction heat. This isn’t really effective against radiation heat generated by the sun.
Reflective roofing materials work by reflecting more sunlight and absorbing less heat. This is usually done by adding cool roof coatings. You can add this to your existing roofs if it’s still in good condition. However, even an unpainted metal roof can do a better job than asphalt shingles when reflecting heat is concerned.
Adding a reflective coating is still an excellent way to improve a metal roof’s reflectivity. It will work even better to keep the inside of your home cool. Lightly colored and more reflective metal roofs can even reduce cooling costs by up to 40%.
Emissivity
Emissivity refers to a roof’s ability to emit or release the heat it has absorbed back to the sky. A low emissivity rating means the material will absorb heat and won’t release it. Ever wonder why your second floor or attic remains warmer than the first floor for hours after sundown? That’s because your roof is having a hard time releasing the heat it absorbed throughout the day.
Metal roofs are a high emissivity value material that releases heat as the exterior temperature goes down. These types of roofs are highly effective for saving energy in warmer climates and the summer season.
Temperature Regulation
While metal roofs are more known for reflecting the sun’s rays and keeping living spaces cool, it doesn’t mean they will freeze your home during the winter months. Metal roofs can also keep your home warm during winter by preventing outdoor temperature and your attic’s temperature from fluctuating.
Metal roofs, keeping the house at a comfortable level of warmth through ventilation and insulation. If you live in a cold area with lots of snow, a darker color can even change your metal roof’s function. A darker colored metal roof would absorb more heat instead of reflecting it, melting the snow that falls on it.
Fahey Roofing Contractors has the experienced and skilled contractors you need to help you with any necessary roof repairs and roof replacement. We serve various areas in West Virginia and Ohio. If you have questions or concerns, visit our website or contact us at (304) 826-1323 for West Virginia or (740) 523-0380 for Ohio.