Here’s a fun fact most homeowners don’t know: the reason your home is so hot during the summer probably has nothing to do with your air conditioning unit. Many people think that it is their system that is not working as well as it should, resulting in an increase in temperature within the home. The truth is the culprit very well could be your roof. Let’s take a look at what we are talking about.
Most roofs in the United States are made of dark colored material. For practical purposes, this is the most aesthetically neutral choice to match your roof to the rest of the house. The problem is, the darker the color, the hotter that roof will get. During the hottest part of each day, your roof temperature may exceed 150 degrees. The result is your air conditioning unit having to work harder than it should, meaning a dramatic increase in energy costs during summer months. This is especially true here, where Jacksonville roofers recommend evaluating your roofing system each year to measure its effectiveness.
So what is the answer to this frequently confronted problem? Over the last decade, cool roof products have been developed that help protect your home and fortify your roof against the suns powerful rays. A cool roof is one that has been designed to reflect more sunlight than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Nearly any type of building can benefit from a cool roof, but in Florida, the difference can be substantial.
There are a few ways a cool roof will help homeowners. First, the most obvious is a reduction in energy bills by lightening the workload of your homes air conditioning unit. It will also leave places that aren’t air conditioned, like your garage, much more comfortable, even during the hottest months. Since a cool roof experiences a lower cumulative surface temperature over its life, the length of service will be extended, ensuring against an unwanted roof replacement down the road. Cool roofs also benefit the environment by lowering total utility usage and reducing local air temperatures.
In addition to the benefits provided by a cool roof, proper attic ventilation can play a significant role in lowering energy costs. During summer months, heat will build up in your attic. If it has been properly ventilated, this heat will cool over night. Unfortunately, if it is not, the heat will accumulate and eventually filter down into your home, resulting in the air conditioning system having to work harder and you energy expenses increasing.
Selecting the right contractor for this job is crucial. Many Jacksonville roofing companies are equipped to properly install a new system or replace your existing roof with a “cool” one. As winter turns to spring, a project such as this is perfectly timed to prepare homeowners for the heat of summer that lies ahead.