What Colour Roof Is Most Energy Efficient?

Within the past few years, the seasons have been getting exceptionally worse.

10:54 18 January 2019

Summers getting hotter and winters getting colder, and in some areas, places where it once got colder during the winter getting colder a lot less time.

With that said, hotter summers equals more time our air conditioning units spend running which again equals more money coming out of your pocket. But, for all you homeowners, did you know that there are ways where you can reduce your energy bill every month by changing the energy efficiency of your roof –– sometimes by simply choosing a different colour of roofing material?

Yea, pretty cool, huh. No pun intended (well maybe a little).

Anyway, to answer your question, follow along to find out what colour your roof should be and other ways you can make your roof be more efficient for you and keep the energy company from taking money out of your pocket. *cries*

Cool Your Roof By Going Light!

Alright, so there isn’t any one particular colour that you have to go with to make your Indiana roof more energy efficient. Rather, you should opt for a “cool roof” by picking a lighter colour. Why? Because of the albedo effect. What’s that? It’s when light and heat are reflected away from a surface rather than being absorbed –– resulting in you using less energy and saving more money.

Most homes utilize dark roofs. The problem with dark roofs is that they absorb heat and, in the case of urban areas, causing the heat island effect. On an average summer day, a roof can reach up to 150°F to 175°F. Not cool.

But how do I get a “cool roof”?

 

Simple. If you have an existing roof, you can easily slap on a cool roof coating onto your shingles. However, if you are in the process of re-roofing, you can shop around for some lighter-coloured shingles and have your Indianapolis roofing contractor install them for you.

What Else Can I Do To Make My Roof Energy-Efficient?

Opting for a lighter-coloured roof isn’t the only way to make your roof energy-efficient. One other crucial way to accomplish this is by making sure your roof has the proper insulation. Here, let us explain.

When it comes to your heating and cooling system, your roof can be the difference between a blessing and a nightmare. Having poor insulation in your roof can result in more heat during the winter months and more cool air during the summer months. Also, if you decide to transform your attic into a study or a bedroom, it can make that space very uncomfortable.

So, how do you remedy this? Well, it all depends on where you live and what kind of home you have. There are different kinds of insulation to choose from including home foam insulation, cotton batting, cellulose insulation, and fiberglass batting. We recommend consulting with your Indianapolis roofing contractor on which insulation type they recommend.

Save Time & Money With A New, Cool Roof!

Transforming your roof into an energy-efficient roof will not only save you money on rising energy bills but will also help you live a bit more sustainably as well. No matter what kind of neighborhood you live in, having a cool roof installed or a cool roof coating put on can reduce the heat island effect and heating and cooling costs in your home. As well, making sure that your roof is properly insulated will also help remedy this issue.

No matter which route you go when getting a cooler roof, make sure you shop around and only work with the best roofing contractor in Indiana. They should be reliable, thorough, have great customer service, and have years of knowledge about energy efficient roofs. A wonderful example of a great Indianapolis roofing contractor is Jackson Contracting Inc. who has a strong reputation for delivering great results to their customers.