06 Jan Tips to Cool Your Roof and Reduce Energy Costs
Cooling your roof rather than running your home’s HVAC system is your first line of defense in keeping cool in the hot Albuquerque summers. The heat absorbed by your roof can raise the temperature inside your home, increasing your energy costs and putting strain on your air conditioning system. A cool roof is a unique roof designed to maintain a lower temperature throughout the spring and summer by reflecting light and releasing more heat. Here are several steps you can take to cool your roof.
1. Upgrade your shingles
Regular fiberglass asphalt shingles will absorb heat during the summer. If your roof is nearing the end of its life, replace them with asphalt shingles with a special coating of reflective granules to reflect sunlight.
2. Install a metal roof
Metal roofs are very energy efficient and reduce cooling costs in the summer by reflecting heat off the home. Factory-applied coatings can even improve the heat-releasing properties of the roof.
3. Upgrade to tiles
Tiles roofs aren’t just beautiful; both traditional and “cool” colored tile roofs can make a steep sloped roof cooler during the hot months. Some tiles naturally reflect heat better than others based on their color, shape, and type of clay. Many tiles in earth tones like Terra cotta, green, and brown qualify as Energy Star materials.
4. Install a roof misting system
If you don’t want to replace your existing roof, you can consider a roof misting system or evaporative cooling system. These systems use sensors to monitor the moisture and temperature levels on your roof. When the roof gets too hot, the system sprays a small amount of water across the roof. As this water evaporates, it cools the roof. While evaporative cooling systems are mostly used on commercial properties, they can be used on some residential roofs.
5. Plant trees
Planting trees strategically around your home can dramatically cut your cooling costs by shading your roof from the sun. Don’t plant trees too close to the house, however, to avoid damage from falling branches. You can work with a landscaper to choose the best location for a tree or two.
6. Install a rooftop garden
If you have a flat roof, installing a rooftop garden can reduce your cooling costs. Green roofs shade the building from sunlight and reduce surface temperature. Rooftop gardens can even make the air around the roof cooler than the ambient air temperature.
7. Improve ventilation
The best way to regulate your home’s temperature is ensuring your roof and attic have good ventilation. Insulation, ridge vents, wind turbines, and radiant barriers are cost effective ways to cool your roof and reduce the temperature in your attic by up to 20 degrees to reduce your energy costs in the summer.
Ready to make your roof more energy efficient? Contact our roofing contractors today to learn more about cooling your roof and making your home or business more efficient.