August 2nd, 2011 
Tushar Mathur A home’s roof can actually be one of its greatest wastes of energy, and can cost a household hundreds of dollars in electric bills annually. A poor roof can easily let in the elements sending your heating and cooling systems into overdrive, and can also attract heat which will not only make utility bills rise, but will also be more harmful to the environment. If you feel like you aren’t getting the most out of your roof, you may need to give it a few updates. The following roof updates will not only help you go green by reducing energy use, but they will also reduce your utility bills:
Lowering Your Roof Temp
Traditionally, roofs have shingles which are made of either black asphalt or dark wood shingles. Both of these are bad if you are hoping to keep the temperature of your roof low as they tend to absorb heat much like a dark colored t-shirt does. However, you don’t have to replace your entire roof with lighter shingles simply to reduce your home’s energy consumption.
Many commercial roofs are now being painted white or recovered with white, highly reflective white membrane. However, you don’t need to have a flat top or Commercial Roof to do something similar. Homeowners can easily cover their shingles with a reflective roof coating or paint. Also, keep light shingles in mind the next time you have to re-roof your home.
Installing Proper Insulation
When most people consider increasing their home’s efficiency, they immediately become concerned with their home’s insulation. One of the first places every home owner insulates in the attic, however, few consider the roof. If your roof isn’t properly insulated, you will have incredibly high electricity costs as your home will more easily be affected by outside temps.
You should insulate your roof according to the location of your home. If you live in a climate for accustomed to extreme weather, you will need thicker insulation than a home in a more timid climate. Also consider using foam or cellulose insulation for the best protection.
Re-roofing
Re-roofing is expensive, and should only be done when necessary. If your home isn’t ready for a new roof, the consider painting or insulating it for the time being to increase efficiency. However, if your home is in need of being re-roofed, consider taking a few more green approaches the next time around. Use lighter shingles or coat your roofing with an elastomeric coating to increase reflective properties. Choosing to metal roof can be an even better option as they generally reflect the sun more easily and last longer than traditional roofs.
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