How Can a New Roof Help You Save on Energy Costs?

Energy costs have been getting higher by the day, and they’re probably increasing even as you read this. That’s why it’s always good to look for ways to lower your bills. If it’s possible to save money and boost the quality of life, that’s a huge win-win.

And the older your current roof is, the more you will benefit by replacing it in terms of energy efficiency. But before we move on to the relationship between your house and energy, describing just how a new roof can decrease your costs, let’s take a look at the economy.

Why Is Now the Best Time for a Roof Replacement?

“The recession is coming.”

“Inflation is going crazy.” 

“Everything is so expensive now.”

Those are just three facts you can hear on every corner, read in every comment section, or experience every time you pull out your wallet. And while most people want to save money now, smart people invest now to save in the future.

Replacing a roof isn’t cheap, but it pays off over time – if you pick a proven roofing contractor to do it. 

It’s good to think ahead about your future. And getting a new roof that lowers your energy costs will make that future better.

When it Comes To Roofs – New Is Always Better!

December 3, 1967…

That’s the day of the first (successful) heart transplantation. The patient died of lung infection and pneumonia 18 days later.

2022…

Worldwide, the overall survival rate after heart transplantation is about 90% after one year and about 80% after five years for adults.

Everything is advancing.

Remember how you had to be at home to get a call from someone? Now everyone has a tiny supercomputer in their pocket.

The same is happening in the roofing industry.

New materials, new tools, new techniques. Discoveries are happening in each and every part of our industry.

And roofers who keep pace with advancing technology are still in business. Roofs are of higher quality. And roofs are more energy-efficient.

SRI Matters

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates the roof’s ability to reject solar heat.

In other words, you know how you can’t stop sweating if you wear a black shirt on a hot summer day? And your friend in a white shirt seems like they aren’t taking that much damage from the temperature?

It’s the same with roofs. But it’s not just about color. The material is crucial. Imagine your black shirt is latex. And your friend is wearing a white linen shirt. The difference in your body temperature would be huge.  

So, if you live in an area where you spend a lot of energy and money on cooling the house down during summer, you should aim for high SRI. And in areas where your heating bills during winter are much more significant than the cooling expenses during summer – go with a roof that will keep in as much heat as possible.

So when choosing a new roof, make sure to consider the SRI and energy efficiency first, and not only the aesthetics of the roof. Because when the electricity bills start piling up, people become sorry for wanting the coolest-looking roof in the neighborhood. Do you know who doesn’t feel bad?
Their neighbors who went for the roof that’s actually the coolest, reducing their energy costs over time.

Roof Vent – The Golden Goose or a Leech for Your Wallet

The outside of your roof is your first line of defense, so it must be in great shape. But roof vents (and insulation) are the special forces in that story. No matter how good the outer layer of your roof is, you’ll have higher energy bills if your roof vent doesn’t work.

And that’s the last thing people check. It’s easy to forget something that’s so out of sight. Yet, that’s where the energy-saving opportunities are.

In nature, especially in physics, systems prefer balance. You know you shouldn’t put boiling soup in the refrigerator. The reason is simple – the heat from the soup would spread around the fridge until the whole system (the inside of your fridge) gets in balance.

Imagine your house as a system with only one desire – to balance its temperature. 

Let’s say it’s summer.

The Sun is pouring heat on your roof. Shingles are trying their best, but the enemy is relentless. At the same time, you’re inside your home with your AC keeping you cool. 

By keeping the living area of your home cool while your roof is under a heat attack – you’re creating a temperature difference. Your house wants to have the same temperature everywhere. So it pulls the cold air from the AC (that you’re paying for) to the attic.

When the hot air in the attic meets the air from the AC – they collide. Humidity leads to mold, paint peeling, leaks, and so on.
But when you have a properly functioning roof vent, it will lead the hot air out of your home. It means your whole house will stay colder, and you won’t have to work only to pay the electricity bills during the summer.

One Weak Link Can Cost a Lot

Now you know that everything matters in the relationship between your roof and energy bills:

• The age of your roof
• Its color
• The roof material
• The area where you live
• The condition of your vent and insulation
• The condition of every part of your roof

You may think replacing one piece of the puzzle could make a huge difference. And you may be right (if you’re sure where the problem is). But nothing comes close to replacing the whole roof, especially if it has already seen many summers.
A new roof will ensure you get the most advanced materials and systems that will ensure great energy efficiency, high comfort levels, and lower energy bills.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your home and getting a roof replacement in Hamilton, NJ, make sure to give your trusted local roofers at Fortified Roofing a call, and we’ll make sure you get the best of the best!