More than just a home covering that your neighbors will covet, a cool roof is one designed to reflect energy and heat from the sun. A traditional dark roof absorbs heat, so it can wind up being as many as 50 degrees hotter than a cool roof! This temperature increase can put a hefty burden on Florida homeowners, especially during the summer months. With an energy-efficient solution for the problems brought by summer, you’ll be able to save on your energy bill.
Benefits of a Cool Roof
The biggest benefit to you will be a bit of relief from the heat–especially during the warmest months of the year. Your air conditioner will work less, giving you more comfortable spaces in your home, such as garages and enclosed patios.
By using less energy, not only will your cooling bills be lower, but you’ll also reduce the demand for energy during peak cooling hours. That means fewer greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, fewer power outages due to overloads, and a healthier environment for everyone.
A cool roof can also extend the life of your entire roofing system. By absorbing less heat, your roofing materials will degrade at a much slower rate, meaning fewer repairs and more time between replacements.
6 Ways to Achieve a Cool Roof
From extended roof life to lower energy bills, a cool roof is a cool way to make a big impact. Here’s how you can achieve a cool roof in your own home:
- Retrofit Your Roof. If you have a relatively new roof in good condition–one you’re not thinking of replacing anytime soon–consider options for retrofitting or coating your roof with reflective material. Some materials are easier to coat than others so check with your local roofing expert to see what your options are.
- Replace with Cool Roof Materials. When it is time to replace your existing roof, ask your contractor about cool roof options. From reflective tiles to metal roofing, there are many options for Florida homeowners to choose from.
- Install a Green Roof. This might be an extreme option for most people, but if you’ve got a green thumb and a flat roof, bring your home alive with a rooftop garden. Whether you simply plant a little grass, grow some native wildflowers, or go all out with a vegetable garden, a green roof will make good use of the sun’s energy while keeping it out of your attic.
- Get Solar Panels. Rather than simply reflecting the sun’s heat away, solar panels take the energy in and convert it to clean electricity within a household. Solar panels also prevent almost all of the sun’s heat and energy from reaching your roof for a double payback.
- Try a Roof Cooling Misting System. These work by spraying a fine mist of water on the surface of the roof. As that water evaporates, the air surrounding the water– and thereby your roof– cools down by several degrees. Think of it as creating a sweat-like effect to help your roof cool down. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much water to mist the roof. Most systems can accommodate rain barrel collection.
- Add Insulation. A well-insulated home, including the attic space, is a great way to stop heat from filtering down through your home. With the extremely-efficient spray foam insulation, you can expect major savings on your energy bill. If you are unable to make the investment in another option, boosting your home’s insulation is an easy way to shave 15 percent from your cooling costs.Take the First Step
Whether you’re new to the idea of cool roofing or you’re ready to jump in with both feet, an energy efficient home and lower cooling bills start with a well-sealed home. When you keep the expensive cooled air inside your home where it belongs, your AC unit can take a break from generating new cold air.
Spray foam insulation is a great way to get both air sealing and insulation with a single installation. Because spray foam expands as it dries, it forms a seal between two surfaces while also providing superior insulation.
To learn more about keeping cool with spray foam insulation, schedule your free spray foam consultation with Wattson Home Solutions today!
