How to Fix an Energy Wasting Roof

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A poor roof can greatly increase your utility bills and carbon footprint, and leave you feeling cold in the winter even with your heater running full blast. A home with a poor roof on it can actually lose a vast majority of the heat it produces as the heat rises and simply escapes without effectively heating any of the home. However, there are a few things that can be done to help you repair your energy wasting roof:

Paint it White

Traditionally, roofs are black and made of heavy shingles. The black color absorbs heat from the sun, and can make any floors located near the roof unbearably hot when the sun is out. To make your roof a little more efficient, paint it white. The white color will reflect the sun, and it will greatly reduce your utility bill as your air conditioner won't have to work as hard to cool your home down.

Reinsulate

One of the biggest things that make a roof inefficient is inadequate insulation. Before considering a complete re-roofing, make sure that your insulation is up to date. All you may have to do is replace the insulation, and your roof may become as efficient as any new roof. When shopping for roof insulation, make sure to get insulation that is best for your climate. Certain types or more prone to mold and mildew, and are intended for dryer climates, while other are intended for areas with more extreme weather.

Reroof

Re-roofing a home can be expensive, but replacing your old shingles with something more ecofriendly, such as metal roofing, can great increase your roof's efficiency and greatly reduce your monthly bills. If you decide that your roof is in need of a complete replacement, look into a variety of materials before deciding to do so. There are many more sustainable options now for roofing, and certain areas even offer grants to homeowners who are trying to make energy efficient upgrades.

Don't throw money away each month on heating and cooling simply because your roof is old or outdated. There are several quick ways that you can improve your roof and increase its longevity, you just have to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and give them a go.

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Posted by Fix Handyman on October 5, 2011 in Roof. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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