How Can a Roofing Company Reduce Your Energy Consumption?
March 21, 2020
If your energy bills keep rising, and you have been neglecting your roof, the two may be related. Especially in the colder months, a bad roof can allow heated air inside the house to float up and out, causing you to turn up the heat. If you are sick of high energy bills, check out how a new roof may help save you money.
Roofers Can Fix Holes and Gaps
One reason your roof raises your energy bills is because of gaps. Small holes and gaps in the roof provide no protection against heat loss/heat gain. Therefore, during the summer, heated air leaks inside the cooled house, and in the winter, heated air inside the house escapes via these holes. These holes and gaps can appear anywhere in your home, but they are particularly problematic when on the roof.
One reason your roof raises your energy bills is because of gaps. Small holes and gaps in the roof provide no protection against heat loss/heat gain. Therefore, during the summer, heated air leaks inside the cooled house, and in the winter, heated air inside the house escapes via these holes. These holes and gaps can appear anywhere in your home, but they are particularly problematic when on the roof.
The same factors that cause leaks can cause energy loss. This includes damaged shingles and the age of the roof, but a lot of holes and gaps appear around chimneys, skylights and vents. These areas require a literal hole in the roof. The hole is filled with the chimney/skylight/vent, and flashing is used to fully seal any gaps between the roof and chimney/skylight/vent.
When this flashing becomes worn or damaged, however, it no longer fully seals those gaps, allowing air to sneak into or out of the home. Any skilled roofer can easily fix damaged shingles and flashing to boost the insulating properties of the roof.
When this flashing becomes worn or damaged, however, it no longer fully seals those gaps, allowing air to sneak into or out of the home. Any skilled roofer can easily fix damaged shingles and flashing to boost the insulating properties of the roof.
They Use Energy-Efficient Materials
As technology advancements allow humans to create more and more energy-efficient materials, getting a new roof can help reduce energy consumption naturally. For example, asphalt shingles are great in any climate, but in a cold climate, darker colors are better to absorb as much natural heat as possible. On the other hand, in a hot climate, light colored shingles better reflect the sun to keep the house naturally cooler.
Metal roofs are another highly energy-efficient material, and you can choose colors to better reflect or absorb the heat too. In most cases, however, metal roofs are ideal for keeping cooling costs down because of how well the metal reflects the sun.
As technology advancements allow humans to create more and more energy-efficient materials, getting a new roof can help reduce energy consumption naturally. For example, asphalt shingles are great in any climate, but in a cold climate, darker colors are better to absorb as much natural heat as possible. On the other hand, in a hot climate, light colored shingles better reflect the sun to keep the house naturally cooler.
Metal roofs are another highly energy-efficient material, and you can choose colors to better reflect or absorb the heat too. In most cases, however, metal roofs are ideal for keeping cooling costs down because of how well the metal reflects the sun.
They'll Inspect Your Attic
When you think of your roof, you may forget about one important aspect: the underside of the roof or the attic. You can have the most energy-efficient roofing material made, but if your attic is poorly insulated, you are just wasting energy.
The attic needs the most insulation because of its location. Ideally, you shouldn't even be able to see the rafters because the insulation should rise above them. Plus, you need to ensure you have the right R-Value for your region. The R-Value measures the amount of insulation in any given material.
When you think of your roof, you may forget about one important aspect: the underside of the roof or the attic. You can have the most energy-efficient roofing material made, but if your attic is poorly insulated, you are just wasting energy.
The attic needs the most insulation because of its location. Ideally, you shouldn't even be able to see the rafters because the insulation should rise above them. Plus, you need to ensure you have the right R-Value for your region. The R-Value measures the amount of insulation in any given material.
In Pennsylvania, your attic roof insulation should have an R-Value of between R-38 and R-60. Luckily, increasing the R-Value is as easy as just adding more insulation to the old insulation. A skilled roofer can take a peek inside the attic and easily determine if you need more insulation.
Common types of attic insulation include fiberglass batts and loose fill fiberglass. Loose fill fiberglass is easier to use if the attic is finished, and you need to add insulation behind walls and ceilings. Other types of insulation include cellulose, mineral wool and spray foam insulation.
Common types of attic insulation include fiberglass batts and loose fill fiberglass. Loose fill fiberglass is easier to use if the attic is finished, and you need to add insulation behind walls and ceilings. Other types of insulation include cellulose, mineral wool and spray foam insulation.
With a well-maintained roof, you can actually reduce how much you spend each month on heating and cooling, making it a great investment for future savings. If you would like to know more about the benefits of getting a new roof, or if you are ready to request a quote, contact us at Leon Construction today.
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A good gutter system doesnt get much attention until rain starts spilling from the roofline or pooling near the foundation. If youre choosing gutters for your home, it helps to compare shapes, sizes, materials, and maintenance needs before you commit. The right setup should move water away from the building without making upkeep feel like a constant chore. A few simple comparisons can help you avoid choosing something that looks fine at first but doesnt direct water where it needs to go. Match Your Roofline Your roofline affects how much water your gutters need to carry and where the downspouts should go. A simple roof with long, straight edges may need a different setup than a roof with several valleys, dormers, or steep slopes. Roof pitch also plays a role because steeper roofs move water faster during heavy rain. Wider gutter runs, extra downspouts, or larger gutter sizes may help manage that flow. A contractor can review the roof layout and recommend a setup that keeps water moving rather than backing up. Why Roof Valleys Need Attention Roof valleys collect water from two roof planes, so they usually send a heavier stream into one area of the gutter system. That extra flow can overwhelm a small gutter or poorly placed downspout during a storm. Splash guards may help in some spots, especially where water runs off the roof quickly. Additionally, a contractor may suggest changing the downspout placement to help the system handle runoff more smoothly. Compare Gutter Materials
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An insulation contractor can install the right material throughout your home. Drafty rooms, cold floors, and noisy spaces may need different solutions.
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A house that feels drafty in winter or stuffy in summer causes constant frustration. Many homeowners assume insulation is a simple upgrade, yet the work involves much more than filling empty spaces. For the best temperature regulation, energy efficiency, moisture control, and safety, insulation should always be installed by a professional. The right thermal protection keeps your home comfortable in all seasons. Installation Gaps Reduce Performance Insulation works best when it fully covers the intended area and fits properly around framing, wiring, and other obstacles. Small gaps may seem minor at first, yet they give heat an easy way to move in or out of the home. As a result, the material’s performance depends just as much on proper placement as on the product itself. Experienced installers understand where insulation jobs usually go wrong, particularly around corners, edges, and narrow spaces. Since compressed insulation does not perform as well, they avoid packing it too tightly or squeezing it where it does not fit. They also pay close attention to transitions between different areas of the home, so coverage stays consistent. As a result, the home feels more evenly comfortable from one space to the next. Hidden Hazards Make DIY Risky Many people picture insulation as a dusty weekend project. However, attics and crawl spaces may have tight access points, uneven footing, exposed wires, and low visibility, making the work harder than expected. A homeowner may walk into the space thinking the job will take a few hours, then realize the area has safety issues that were never obvious from below. Experienced insulation contractors know how to move through these spaces without damaging the home or putting themselves in danger. On top of that, they can recognize signs that another repair should happen first, such as roof leaks, damaged wiring, or moisture problems. Here are some of the hazards professionals check before starting insulation work: Exposed wiring near insulation areas. Tight attic or crawl space access. Unstable surfaces between ceiling joists. Recessed fixtures that need clearance. Older materials that should not be disturbed.
