Although many homeowners don’t associate their HVAC system with their roof, the two systems are closely related. If your energy bills are through the roof or you want to make sure they remain low, this relationship is important. While roofing materials protect your home from the elements, they can also impact the efficiency of your HVAC system. Here’s what you need to know about how your roof affects your HVAC system.
Heat Absorption
If you’ve ever worn a dark shirt on a hot day, then you know that dark colors absorb and hold in heat more than light colors. The same concept holds true for a roof.
A roof covered with dark asphalt shingles will absorb heat directly into your home’s attic space. From there, it is going to enter your living space and make your HVAC unit work extra hard to keep those areas cool.
One option is to choose roofing materials that are lighter in color so they will reflect heat. Metal roofs are more reflective than any other material, even metal roofs that are darker in color.
One-Way Heat Transfer
Heat is going to transfer naturally into your home through certain types of roofs, making your HVAC system work harder. But high outdoor temperatures can also cause heat to buildup inside your attic space.
The best way to keep your attic cool is to choose roofing materials that release the heat trapped in your home and reflect heat from the outside. Re-emissive metal roofs accomplish both. These types of roofs absorb the solar radiation heating your attic and send it safely back into the environment.
Attic Ventilation
Insufficient ventilation allows heat to penetrate your attic. This can heat up your entire home and tax your HVAC unit as it has to work extra hard to keep your home cool. Adequate attic venting allows increased airflow within your attic, which sends hot air out through the roof.
Radiant Barrier
If you want an energy-efficient roof, you may wish to consider one that comes with a radiant barrier. This is an option with metal roofs. Radiant barriers, also known as reflective insulation, are reflective building materials that lower radiant heat transfer. It is attached to one or both sides of the substrate and helps keep the interior of the home cooler.
Get a Metal Roof That Complements Your HVAC System
One type of roof that works well with any HVAC system is a metal roof. Metal roofs deliver the high reflectivity and insulation that complements any HVAC system and gives you the energy efficiency you need.
Excel Metal Roofing L.L.C. is the largest residential metal roofing installer in Missouri. We serve clients within a 100-mile radius of Versailles and have over two decades of experience installing and servicing metal roofs. Contact us today to learn more about how our products and services can enhance your home and improve its energy efficiency.
