Does a roof affect energy costs?

Can a new roof save on skyrocketing energy costs?

A roof plays a significant role in maintaining optimal temperatures in your home. Several aspects affect how the roof directly influences the amount of hot or cold air that stays up inside your home. Let's have a look at some of the most important ones that affect energy cost.

Roofing Materials

Roofing materials are a crucial consideration for your home's indoor temperature and roof energy costs. Different roof materials reflect different amounts of heat, light, and energy. Asphalt shingles, for example, only reflect 30% of the sun's light that hits your roof. That's why they typically trap more heat in the attic and roof area, leading to a warmer house in the winter. This feature can help you save money on heating costs, making asphalt shingles an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their energy bills.

If you want a comfortable home during the warmer months, roof materials that reflect sunlight and heat are a great option. Light colors such as white, gray, and beige will protect your home from extreme temperatures, helping ensure energy efficiency in both summer and winter. Premium shingles offer different absorptive qualities in how they reflect light and heat, so choosing the right roof for your needs can be tricky. It's worth noting that roof materials don't behave differently by season. If they reflect heat during the summer months, they'll also cool your home in the winter. Investing in high-quality roof materials is incredibly important for ensuring your comfort year-round!

Choosing shingles

It can be tough to pick out the right color and pattern for your shingles (see our article on Types of asphalt roofing shingles). There are many options, and if you're not an expert or have no prior knowledge of what works or doesn't for your house, you can have a challenging experience throughout the process. 

When it comes to protecting your home, roof shingles play a vital role in your home's energy costs. Though more expensive roof shingles may come with a more extended warranty, finding the right roof shingle that fits your budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality. Choosing roof shingles depends on the roof's shape and angle, and can vary depending on whether it is steep-pitched. Factors such as color, style, and even the environment all influence the type of roof shingles you should choose for your home. The roof of your home should be considered when selecting shingles, as it has a significant impact on their resistance to harsh weather conditions.

Summer heat and roof energy costs

• Summer months pose threats to your roof.
• One of the threats that summer months pose to roofs is heat.
• UV rays from the sun can cause your roof to age and decay.
• Specifically, UV rays can bleach, weaken, and crack your roof.
• The heat from the sun can also cause shingles on your roof to buckle and split.
• Changes in your roof's temperature from day to night can weaken it.
• Storms that occur during the summer can also cause damage to your roof.
• Storms bring hail, which can damage your roof and weaken the shingles.
• Wind from the summer storms can also damage your roof by curling up shingles or completely ripping them off.
• Thankfully, when summer storms damage your roof, your homeowners' insurance covers the cost of replacing it.

Ventilation problems and roof energy costs

When hot, moist air gets trapped in your attic, it can heat the underside of the shingles, causing them to curl or buckle, making leaks more likely. Also, look for dark spots on the roof that missing shingles could cause. Missing shingles leave the underlayment exposed to the elements.roofing shingles usually indicate a problem with ventilation. When hot, moist air gets trapped in your attic, it can heat the shingles' underside, causing them to curl or buckle, making leaks more likely.Also, look for dark spots on the roof that missing shingles could cause.Missing shingles leave the underlayment exposed to elements.

Proper roof ventilation is crucial to your home; without it, your roof and the entire house could be damaged. Adequate ventilation helps homeowners address and respond to heat and moisture that would otherwise cause significant damage. It is essential to know whether a home is adequately ventilated. Signs of improper ventilation include:

• A higher-than-normal heating or air-conditioning bill is usually caused by the homeowner's attic ventilation becoming wet and losing effectiveness. Mold can also be present due to this. If this occurs, the HVAC must work overtime.
• A rippled appearance can also become noticeable on the homeowner's roofline and shingles, caused by warping of the moisture-damaged decking beneath. 
• Water stains on the inside roof are a sign of improper ventilation, as well as evidence of decay in the roof's structural supports and integrity. 
• If the homeowner or their family members seem to have worse allergy problems than usual, that could also be a sign of inadequate roof ventilation. It could mean their immune system has difficulty coping with the mold caused by poor roof ventilation.