While it protects your house from the elements, your roof also contributes to your home’s energy efficiency. Throughout its life, your roof will need repairs and an eventual replacement, and a roofing contractor can help you select materials that will maintain the house’s internal temperature with less energy. Below is a bit about how roofing materials and processes affect your home’s efficiency.

4 Ways Your Roofing Saves Energy

1. High Reflectance 

Modern roofing materials typically have solar reflectance levels of at least .25, which means they reflect 25% of the sun’s heat away from the surface. While some materials can reflect even more light, this base level will prevent the sun’s warmth from heating your home and interfering with your HVAC system. By maintaining a consistent temperature, the thermostat will read more accurately, allowing it to direct the heating and cooling system to run efficiently to achieve your desired climate.

2. High Emittance 

Ask your roofing contractor to use materials with an emittance value of .85 or more. In other words, your roof will release about 85% of any heat it absorbs. Like reflectance, emittance prevents heat from entering your home, which affects how hard your air conditioning will need to work to maintain consistent temperatures.

3. Proper Ventilation 

Because your attic is often the hottest part of your home, ventilation can decrease the temperature and remove the excess heat from your airflow. By allowing the hot, humid air to escape while welcoming in breezes, the temperatures will decrease a bit, which prevents the heat from affecting your HVAC system’s work. Ask your roofing contractor about roof and soffit vents to increase airflow.

4. Adequate Insulation

During installation, your roofing contractor will include a thermal layer of insulation beneath the surface to prevent external temperatures from entering your home. Roof insulation regulates indoor temperatures and minimizes energy use.

When you’re ready to shelter your home with energy-efficient solutions, contact the roofing contractors at General Roofing. For over 40 years, they have provided residential roofing, vinyl siding, insulation, and window replacements to clients throughout the Anchorage, AK, region. Call them at (907) 561-1460 today to schedule a roof inspection or installation appointment, and check out their website to learn more about their construction and repair services.