Energy efficiency and sustainability measures have been gaining momentum in recent years on a global scale. However, many homeowners typically only get concerned about the efficiency of their home when heating and cooling costs increase significantly. For this reason, a majority of people really start paying attention over two different seasons every year – summer and winter. Typically the times where the most extreme temperatures occur, depending on where you live, the costs associated with maintaining comfortable conditions within your home can vary considerably from other portions of the year. Electric companies have tried to combat the energy use and price fluctuations with a variety of different features and methods but there are also some steps homeowners can take to ensure they are putting themselves in the best position possible.
Adjusting temperature settings on the thermostat is one of the most popular ways individuals attempt to control their costs but used in combination with a variety of other factors, real progress can be made. By understanding your surrounding environment and its climate, other factors can be predetermined in order to effectively regulate the ambient temperature of your property. Not only will this provide a more comfortable living environment but it can also keep your power bill from increasing significantly when the outside temperatures are either extremely hot or cold. The good news is each of these suggestions works in conjunction with the others to help effectively reduce your costs.
Roof Damage
Any type of roof damage will play a role in impacting your heating and cooling expenses but obvious destruction should be remedied immediately. From missing shingles to breaches in this outer protective layer, every instance where the roof isn’t functioning properly has a negative impact on your home. For this reason annual professional inspections are recommended in order to address any issues prior to them becoming significant problems. If caught and fixed early, the corresponding influence on your power bill should be minimal but if left ignored or unfound it could be the culprit behind a price increase.
Insulation
Insulation is most commonly referenced when dealing with heating costs but its use can also help to regulate cooling temperatures when installed properly. Over time insulation may shift in the attic causing certain areas to become exposed and thus not properly protected. A quality roof inspection should always include the interior upper levels of your home or attic in order to look for any damage, mold, mildew, or improper insulation. The type of insulation used often varies but its effectiveness should not be questioned. Correct insulation installation and use results in helping to keep your home cool in the summer months but warm during the winter by either preventing the passage or storing heat.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation also plays a critical role in helping to regulate the temperature of your home. In addition to helping eliminate the potential for any ice dam formation in the winter, a quality ventilated roof will also keep your home warmer underneath. In the summer, air flow should continue to be a priority in order to help move stored heat outside the home instead of into the living space.
Color/Reflection
Depending on the general climate where you live, the color and reflectivity of your roof can also play a vital role in helping to keep your energy costs down throughout the year. For colder climates, having a dark colored roof can help to absorb heat and elevate temperatures in and around the roof surface for melting purposes and warming temperatures within the dwelling. Opposite, hot climate residences should seek lighter color roofing materials in order to assist in reflecting the heat and maintaining a cooler temperature underneath. For moderate climates, a neutral color can work to aid in both the winter and summer months.
Sunlight
Energy efficiency doesn’t just stop with a well maintained roof as there are a number of various factors homeowners can control within their residence to assist in keeping electric costs low. One of the main ways to help control the inside temperature is to effectively control the amount of sunlight entering a home. While this may be beneficial during cold winter months, the same heat infiltrating a home during the summer can cause cooling costs to skyrocket. One way to help control this issue is with the use of blinds or curtains. Depending on if they are open or closed, the sunlight may or may not assist in heating or cooling a home when properly maintained.
Thermostat Setting
As stated, controlling the thermostat is one of the most effective ways to manage your energy use during the peaks of hot and cold temperatures over the course of a year. Not only should you minimize the range of degrees when moving from one setting to the next (i.e. move from 72 to 70 in lieu of 72 to 65) but effectively managing when the home is occupied can also be beneficial. Allowing the home to be a little more hot or cold when uninhabited can help to reduce costs as the unit isn’t working to cool or heat a home in which no one is currently occupying. This not only gives your system a reprieve but also can have an impact on your monthly power bill and usage.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area for years as we handle any and all roofing, gutter, or vinyl siding needs. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been completing installations, evaluations, and multiple other exterior household projects or associated services for nearly two decades. Their highly trained experts can provide an estimate on any repair, remodel, or new construction project, if needed, as well as any type of inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your gutters, roof, or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any gutter construction, roofing job, or any potential damage analysis thought to be caused by severe weather for the purposes of insurance reporting.
Contact us today online or call 303-432-2753 for your free estimate on any of the above mentioned projects!