How To Get The Most Energy Efficient Roof

November 10, 2015

 6 Ways to Maximize Home Efficiency Before Going Solar

If you rush into solar panels before making your home as energy-efficient possible, you will most likely be spending too much and installing more panels than you would really need.

There are six things you can do to help make your home energy efficient before installing solar panels.

1) Reflective shingles- When you have a new roof installed, consider Energy-star approved reflective shingles. By reducing the amount of this heat transfer, solar reflective shingles and solar reflective roofs, in general, have the ability to keep building interiors cooler, thus lessening the usage and strain on HVAC equipment particularly in warmer climates and in summer months.

2) Balanced Roof Ventilation- Having balanced ventilation is critical to reducing heat build-up in your attic. Most roofers and roofing companies don’t take the time to understand this concept or they don’t care. Sufficient and balanced roof ventilation will play a huge role in making your roofing shingles and roof deck last as long as possible. Without balanced ventilation, your roof will build up heat causing your HVAC system to run more and in the winter it causes condensation build up that will destroy the wood roof deck one faithful winter at a time.

3) Low-E replacement windows- A low-e glass window is simply a windowpane coated in microscopic layers of metallic oxides. It keeps your house warmer in the winter by reflecting certain segments of the sun’s light spectrum back into the home, and cooler in the summer by reflecting particular sections outside.

4) Attic insulation- Insulation slows the movement of heat. When the right amount is correctly installed, insulation can deliver dramatically improved comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year. According to the Department of Energy, proper air sealing and insulation can reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs by as much as 30 percent!

5) Air sealing attic- By air sealing in your attic, you can stop many major air leaks and help to maintain the desired temperature throughout your home. 

6) Air sealing entire home including duct work– A duct system that is well-designed and properly sealed can make your home more comfortable, energy efficient, and safer.

Follow these steps before you think about going solar and you will save on the cost and have a perfectly energy efficient home. If your roofer hasn’t discussed these options with you, you need a new roofer.

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