While many homeowners may assume their roof’s only purpose is to provide protection from the elements, it can also be the key to a home’s energy efficiency. In Arizona’s hot, arid climate, using the correct roofing materials is essential to maximize comfort and efficiency.
Working with a professional makes it easy to choose between energy-efficient roofing upgrades.
Energy-Efficient Roofing Upgrades To Consider
Stopping the sun’s heat in its tracks with the right roofing materials can decrease energy bills and improve comfort. There are a few options for energy-efficient roofing upgrades to consider:
Cool Roofing
The choice of material is one of the biggest factors in a roof’s ability to retain or reflect heat. Choosing options such as metal or tile allows for greater solar reflectance, diverting heat from the home. Some homeowners apply a radiant barrier coating over other roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, to create a similar effect.
Choosing light-colored roofing materials when remodeling a home is essential because lighter colors naturally absorb less heat in the summer months. This phenomenon is known as thermal emittance, a measure of how well a material radiates heat away from itself compared to a dark-colored alternative.
By diverting sunlight away from a home, the building absorbs less heat overall and is easier to keep cool. Because the HVAC doesn’t have to fight against as much exterior heat, it works less hard, lowering energy bills and providing a more comfortable home environment.
These energy-efficient roofing upgrades are easy to implement in a planned remodel.
Green Roofing
Green roofing refers to several different things, including literal “green roofs” planted with local vegetation to prevent the heat island effect. Typically, in residential areas, it refers to the use of solar panels and solar shingles to provide a green source of energy for heating and cooling. Solar panels reduce or sometimes eliminate energy bills for Arizona homeowners by providing a renewable source of energy.
Attic Insulation
Another option for energy-efficient roofing upgrades is enhanced attic insulation. A well-insulated attic prevents excessive heat transfer from the attic to the living space below. In the hottest climates, this means less heat from the roof will pass through the attic to reach the home.
For Arizona, the recommended insulation R-value is around R-38 to R-60, which is high enough to suit the extreme fluctuations in local temperature.
Proper insulation keeps the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. By keeping as much heat as possible out of the home in Arizona’s hottest months, less cooling power is necessary.
Ventilation Options
Roofing ventilation improves airflow in spaces such as the attic, where heat and moisture can build up and cause mold and mildew growth. This trapped air also increases the temperature of the home below. The most popular ventilation solution is ridge vents, located at the roof’s peak, to allow hot air to escape.
Some homeowners also choose to increase ventilation inside their homes using solar fans, which are mobile or mounted fans powered by solar panels. These fans offer an energy-efficient cooling solution that lowers the demand for HVAC systems.
Improved ventilation lowers energy bills and increases home comfort by allowing hot air to escape instead of requiring the cooling system to compensate for it.
Polaris Roofing Systems Offers Expert Help
Arizona residents can trust Polaris Roofing Systems to provide top-quality roofing solutions. Whether you’re remodeling and want energy-efficient roofing upgrades or need help repairing your existing efficient systems, our experienced team can help.
Our experienced team is proud to serve the following areas in Arizona: Flagstaff, Bellemont, Doney Park, Mormon Lake, Munds Park, Parks, Sedona, and Williams.
Call 928-699-4840 today to get help from expert roofing professionals.
