As energy bills go up with the temperature during hot Bakersfield, CA summers, it becomes essential to find ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency. The rainy season is also tough on roofs, with water potentially seeping under damaged shingles and into your ceilings.
If your home is due for a new roof, today’s roofing materials and installation techniques offer great potential for reducing the strain on your air conditioner and heater. Read on for three ways a new roof can help save energy in your home while cutting down your utility bills.
1. Solar Reflective Shingles
The latest technology in roof shingles has produced a higher solar reflective capability, which results in your home absorbing less heat. As the shingles deflect solar energy, the air in your home stays cooler and reduces the workload of your air conditioning. To offset increased air conditioner usage when Bakersfield temperatures hit the 90-degree Fahrenheit range, you can choose ENERGY STAR-rated shingles for higher reflective capability and improved energy savings.
Some roofs also have a solar-reflective membrane installed to enhance the shingles’ performance and give additional protection from UV-related degradation. Over time, the sun has proven to be one of the most significant negative impacts on a roof’s durability and longevity.
2. The Right Roof Color for the Environment
The color of the shingles on your roof makes a difference. In warm climates, lighter colors reflect the sun, while darker roof colors belong in cooler climates. The darker the roof, the more heat it absorbs. These shingles are great for a mountain cabin, but in warm climates, they cause more work for your air-conditioning.
The air in your attic can vary by 20 to 40 degrees based on the color of your shingles, and your air conditioning and attic ventilation might not be enough to offset the extra heat from darker shingles. Lighter-colored shingles also look better visually with lighter houses, and most homes in warmer climates also have lighter-colored exterior walls to reflect heat.
3. Improved Roof Ventilation and Insulation
Roof ventilation plays an important part in moderating your home’s temperature and is part of a new roof installation. Proper ventilation prevents hot air from getting trapped in the attic and letting unwanted heat into your home. There are different ways to provide ventilation, depending on your desired budget. You can have an attic fan installed, have vents placed in soffits, or have a roofer install a complete attic ventilation and insulation system.
Attic insulation works in tandem with ventilation. It keeps hot attic air out of your home during the warmer months, so your rooms stay cooler. It also keeps heated air in your home during the winter while keeping colder air in the attic where it belongs. Good attic insulation can save energy on both heating and cooling utility bills.
Have the Experts Look at Your Existing Roof
Replacing your home’s roof is a significant home maintenance project, and poor-quality installation and materials can affect its durability, longevity, and ability to save energy. A new roof can last 25 to 50 years or more if installed and maintained correctly and can increase the value of your home.
The experienced, professional roofers at Ed & J United Roofing have been performing roof replacements for over 30 years and offer a 10-year guarantee on workmanship. Call us to schedule a free estimate for your new roofing project today!
