How a New Roof Can Lower Your Energy Costs
Written for QualityRoofs.com
You might think of a new roof as just another cost, but really, it could save you money in the long run. Roofing technology has come a long way, and older roofs just aren’t as energy efficient as their modern counterparts. Here are a few ways that a new roof can help lower your energy costs.
Improve Ventilation
It might sound silly to think that increasing airflow helps with energy consumption. Wouldn’t that just let the cold air in!? But that’s thinking like a “glass half empty” kind of person. Really, you should be thinking that improved ventilation will let warm air out in the summer.
Even in the Pacific Northwest, heat can get trapped and cause the temperature in your attic to reach excessive levels. Not only does this put an extra strain on your HVAC system, but it can also cause premature wear on your roof and support beams.
New vents are an important part of a quality roof to help to keep your house at a comfortable temperature without extra strain on your HVAC unit or destroying your home’s structure.
Reflect More Sunlight
Have you ever worn a black shirt on a sunny day? It gets hot! Dark colors absorb more sunlight and turn it into heat. All that heat is then transferred to the underside of your roof and into the attic. Just like with the ventilation, that excess heat will make your HVAC system work extra hard in the summer.
Selecting a light, reflective shingle color can help to deflect some of that sunlight and keep your home nice and cool. As an added bonus, reflective shingles last longer because the asphalt doesn’t endure as much heat, increasing its life expectancy.
Wind-Resistant Shingles
Drafts are never fun, as anyone in the Seattle area can attest. When the winter weather hits, the last thing your heating system needs is a cold breeze running through your home.
Older shingles aren’t nearly as effective at keeping out the wind, and some are only rated for winds up to 65 mph. Modern, high-quality shingles can protect against winds up to 135 mph! With that much wind resistance, you’ll never have to feel a draft again, and your heating system will be able to keep you and your family nice and warm without breaking the bank.
Add a Roof Underlayment
A roof underlayment is a sheet of special fabric that lays between the decking (the wood on the top of your house) and the shingles above. It’s designed to protect the wood structure of your home from moisture and extreme temperatures. Think of it like a quilt for your house.
The underlayment will help to prevent the heat and cold from the singles from transferring into the attic. Plus, the water barrier will stop rot and mold in its tracks—something that’s very important in wet, rainy regions.
When you install a new roof and all these aspects can work together in perfect harmony, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll save on your monthly energy costs.
Qualityroofs.com is an innovative roofing company that uses cutting-edge technology and satellite imagery to let you buy your roof online in minutes, from anywhere, at any time. With instant financing available and all roofs installed by hand-picked, factory-certified, local installers in King, Kitsap, Jefferson, Pacific, Pierce, Mason, Grays, Skagit, Snohomish, Clallam, and Thurston Counties, it is the fastest, easiest, and most convenient way to buy a roof. Learn more here.