Tips and Tricks to Make Your Roof More Energy Efficient
Are you frustrated with high monthly electric bills? Are you tired of Googling, “Ways to cool down my home?” Or, are you just looking to make your home more efficient? Having an energy-efficient roof and attic is one of the best ways to help solve these problems. Not only will you see a decrease in your energy costs, but you can also expect your roof to last longer when it’s cooler and more efficient.
So, how do you achieve it? We recommend five techniques to increase your roof and attic’s efficiency so that you can start saving on your utility costs and living more comfortably in a cool home.
Five Ways to Increase Your Roof and Attic’s Efficiency
We all know heat rises—which explains why top floors are always warmer and why attics can be unbearable in the summer months. One of the best ways to keep your home’s temperature cool is by decreasing the temperature in your attic. A cool attic is a key to energy efficiency. Don’t worry if you’re unsure how to lower your attic’s temperature. Below, we’ve compiled five effective ways to improve your roof and attic’s efficiency to keep your attic—and overall home— cool.
1. Dark and Light Colored Shingles
If you have ever worn dark clothing outside in the middle of July, you know that dark colors and the sun don’t mix well. Dark colors absorb much more heat than lighter colors, as they absorb more light. On the other hand, lighter colors tend to reflect light more effectively, reducing the heat built up under sunlight. Roofs work similarly with heat retention. With 10+ hours of sunlight year-round, dark roofs harbor heat, which easily increases the temperature in your attic and home if they’re not adequately insulated.
Dark roofing compared to light-colored roofing could have a 25-degree temperature swing during peak temperatures, especially in Florida. This heat difference can make your home substantially warmer during peak hours, causing your air conditioning to run harder and longer. Investing in lighter colored shingles can help improve your home’s efficiency, protect your air conditioner, and allow you to save on your energy bills. To learn more about the different options available for your roof installation or replacement, explore our top roofing recommendations.
2. Attic Insulation
Typically, the attic is where homeowners can find some of the most considerable missed opportunities related to energy savings. The EPA estimates that typical homeowners can save 15% on their heating and cooling costs by installing insulation in their attic, crawl spaces, and basement rim joists, amounting to roughly 11% of total energy costs. Most homes in the U.S. tend to be under-insulated, leaving these valuable savings wasted.
When adding insulation to your home, you don’t have to use the same type that is already there. We recommend the following three types of attic insulation for homes in Florida:
- Open-cell spray foam
- Blown-in cellulose
- Fiberglass batts
To learn more about the three best types of attic insulation above, call our roofing team, and we’ll gladly walk you through the best choice for your home.
3. Attic Ventilation
Attic ventilation is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to help cut energy costs. Just as you inhale and exhale, your attic should be able to do the same easily. With the year-round Florida sun beaming down onto your home, hot air builds up quickly in your attic throughout the day.
For optimal energy efficiency, ventilation is needed, so cooler air can enter the attic and push out the warm air. Installing ridge vents helps the warm air escape. At McFall Residential Roofing, we recommend on-ridge shingles over on-ridge ventilation. This method involves venting heat from the peak of the roof. Because heat rises, the heat trapped inside your home and attic has an effective way to escape at its peak.
4. Metal Roofing
Whether you’re building a new home or re-roofing an existing one, installing an energy-efficient roof is a valuable investment. Metal is a great roofing choice for Florida homes because it repels heat from the sun rather than absorbing it. With a metal roof, you can save up to 40% in air conditioning costs! We recommend investing in highly reflective metal roofing panels for ultimate efficiency.
5. Radiant Heat Barrier
A radiant heat barrier is also a highly recommended way to keep the heat out of your attic. This method involves applying recycled tinfoil material to the plywood underside to keep heat out of your attic and reduce temperatures. There are several methods to apply a radiant barrier. However, we recommend the spray method because of its ability to coat more evenly and precisely.
Increasing Your Roof and Home’s Efficiency
It’s no secret that the summer months in Florida are hot. With the sun casting on your roof for over ten hours a day, it’s essential to keep your attic cool and your roof protected. With these five tips, you can keep the temperatures in your home cool while keeping your energy costs low.
Whether you’re looking to replace your roof altogether or are exploring how to improve your home with energy-efficient upgrades, McFall Residential Roofing can help. Located in Gainesville, Florida, we work to implement sustainable green initiatives in homes throughout the North Central Florida area, including Alachua, Newberry, St. Augustine, Starke, and more. To learn more about how we can help improve your home and roof efficiency, contact our residential roofing contractors today.
