Half of the money you spend monthly on energy goes towards heating and cooling. You could say, “energy costs are going through the roof,” because that is exactly where a lot of it does go. A roofing company in Omaha will tell you that the roof on your home is the best defense against keeping the cold out and the heat in during winter, and just the opposite during summer. If the roof on your home is poorly insulated and of inferior construction, you will lose a lot of heat and cool air, both of which are costing you a lot to produce.
Now is the right time to have your roofing company in Omaha use energy efficient materials in the construction of your new roof or the replacement of your existing roof. Spending a little extra now will pay tremendous dividends in the future. Not only will you save energy, the new materials available can better withstand the bombardment of UV rays, which greatly reduce the life of a roof surface.
The best roof is one which has high solar reflectance. This simply means that the roof surface will reflect the energy of the sun back into the atmosphere. Roofs which are made of this reflective material can reduce the temperature of the roof surface by 30%, this means that less heat goes into your home in summer.
Adding insulation can further enhance the energy efficiency of your roof. In cold climates, look for insulating materials with a high R value, these are best at keeping the heat in and keeping the cold out, lowering the energy needed to heat the home considerably.
There are some states that grant tax advantages to homeowners who build or rebuild their roof using these energy-efficient materials.
What is the right roof?
You will want to work with a roofing company who carries roofing products that are in conformance with the government Energy Star® label. This program was started by the government to help in the promotion of energy efficiency through the use of efficient materials and products.
Try to select a roof color based on your geographical location. Light color roofs reflect a lot of heat and are great in warm climates; conversely, darker roofs tend to hold heat and are better in colder climates. If you do live in a warm part of the country, a light color roof can reduce the surface temperature up to an amazing 80 degrees.
There are many different materials to choose from, including asphalt, metal, wood and tile. Tile roofs may cost more to purchase and install, but they are very efficient and will save money over time. Avoid unpainted metal roofs as they are poor at releasing energy.