Energy-efficient Roofs 101: Everything You Need To Know

Energy efficiency has been on the top of homeowners' minds for a long time, especially in the modern world. Homeowners deploy several strategies like energy-efficient home appliances, HVAC systems, LED lights, and energy-saving windows to reduce the energy consumption at their homes and the related costs.

However, people often do not realize that an energy-efficient roof can also be a powerful resource for saving your energy expense. Homeowners may also receive a Federal Tax Credit for installing qualified roofing materials and saving money. So, do you want to know what type of roof qualifies for energy credit?

Let's find out the roofing basics to determine what makes your roof energy-efficient and how you can get the best tax benefit from your roof.

What makes a roof energy-efficient?

Poorly designed roofs are not uncommon in US houses. Roofs with dark and non-reflective materials absorb more light and heat than reflecting. Heat-absorbing roofs only help heat transference into your home, leaving your living space overheated.

While proper insulation may provide some shield against heat, it cannot protect your attic from overheating and putting pressure on your air conditioning system. However, an energy-efficient roof eliminates this issue of overheating through solar reflectance.

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is a system that measures your roof's ability to reflect solar heat. If your roof ranks higher in the SRI system, it's good news. Studies have found that raising the SRI from 25 to just 40 can lower your roof's surface temperature by more than 13 degrees, equivalent to 15-20% savings on the energy bills.

Naturally, lighter colors reflect more light and heat from any surface than colors with darker tones. Additionally, several coatings are available in the market that can increase the surface's reflectivity. So, it is a great way to keep solar radiation away from your home and promote energy efficiency.

Apart from your roof's reflectivity, ventilation also plays a crucial role in making your home energy efficient. Heat accumulation in your houses can lead to overheating, putting a profound impact on your energy bills.

However, good ventilation can mitigate the chances of heat accumulation and, thus, overheating. If you live in a hot region and your home does not have proper ventilation, it will hamper your and your pocket's health.

What type of roof qualifies for energy credit?

Energy Star has rated several roofing materials to save energy, money, and the environment. Here is all you need to know about them:

Metal Roofing:

Metal roofing is undisputedly one of the most preferred types of roofing material when it comes to energy efficiency. They are also considered to be the most energy-efficient roofing materials. They can last as much as 50 years with virtually no maintenance. Experts also coat them with reflective material giving them a better rating for energy efficiency.

Tiles Roofing:

Whether clay, concrete, or slate, any tiles can make suitable energy-efficient roofs for US houses. You can also go for pre-treated tiles to give them better reflectivity. Roofers can even coat them with reflective coating after their installation.

Asphalt Shingles:

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material used on homes across the US. Traditionally, they are not heat-reflective and not at all energy-efficient. However, today manufacturers use solar-reflective granular surface material on asphalt shingles to provide them with higher SRI value.

How do energy-efficient roofs save money?

Energy-efficient roofs keep your home away from overheating, reducing energy expenses in your homes. Your utility bills can see a reduction of as much as 25% following the installation of an energy-efficient roof. It could translate to almost $300 - $500 of savings per year.

On top of that, if you use Energy Star certified materials on your roof, you become eligible for tax credits for residential energy efficiency. You can receive tax benefits of up to 10% on your roof replacement cost through the Energy Star program on purchasing qualified materials.

If you do not know what type of roof qualifies for energy credit, consult your roofing contractor, as they will be able to help you find the right product.

Conclusion:

While installing an energy-efficient roof may look expensive initially, it can help you save a significant amount of money in the longer run. The energy-efficient coating also extends the life span of your roofing system by protecting it from the detrimental effects of the sun. The tax credit on qualified roofing materials is an added benefit. You can google "what type of roof qualifies for energy credit" if you are unsure how it works. Moreover, an energy-efficient roof is a cool roof, and a cool roof will only make your living space comfortable, especially during the summers.