The roof of your home can be essential to keeping your family sheltered. Did you know it could also keep your home energy efficient, comfortable, and valuable?
Installing a cool roof on your home may have a positive impact on your home energy performance. As a PACE-qualifying home upgrade, it is easy to finance a roof replacement.
Why Replace Your Roof with a Cool Roof?
Battle the Heat Island Effect
Did you know that the surface temperatures of a roof can reach upwards of 150ºF underneath the summer sun? An excessively hot roof will increase the temperature inside your home, as well as increase the air temperature outside of your home. This extreme heat can have a severe effect on your home’s energy demands and comfort.
In urban areas where there are large clusters of “hot roofs,” like Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, these roofs create what is called the “heat island effect.” According to Science Daily, “air temperatures spike several degrees higher in cities than in surrounding vegetated areas. Built surfaces readily absorb daytime heat and release it at night, keeping cities warmer overnight as well.” More cool roofs can help prevent increased heatwave exposure to those living in urban areas versus those living in less densely populated regions.
Not only may a cool roof reduce your air conditioning energy costs and keep your home more comfortable, but it could make life a little more comfortable for your neighbors. The Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted a study on the effects of installing cool roofs on every building in California by the year 2050. They found that state-wide cool roof installation “could bring down the annual number of heatwave exposures in California to 45 million from 80 million.”
Save On Energy Costs
A cool roof decreases your need for cooling equipment during the heat of the summer by reducing the heat gain inside your home. That previous 150ºF surface roof temperature could be 50ºF cooler with a cool roof.
A cool roof reduces energy usage, saving you money, and will also stabilize the temperatures in your unconditioned spaces, like the garage or the bonus room. Installing a cool roof is most beneficial in a warm climate, where the winters are not cold enough to require the inherent heat gain of a traditional roof. Southern climates, including California and Florida, are prime candidates for cool roof installation.
Raising the (Cool) Roof Value
According to Realtor Magazine, the home upgrade that provided the greatest return in buyer appeal, cost, return, and owner joy was roof replacement. As an investment, roof replacement offers a 105% return and appeals to prospective buyers more than any other exterior upgrade. Replacing the roofing on your home can boost the curb appeal and overall aesthetics, increasing the resale value of your home whenever you decide to sell!
Does Your Roof Need to Be Replaced?
A typical roof can last anywhere between 20 and 100 years, depending on the material. How can you know it may be time to replace your roof? The following warning signs can indicate it is time to think about a replacement:
- Leaks
- Sunlight through your roof boards
- Shingle granules in your gutters
- Curling or buckling shingles
- Missing shingles
If your home is in an area that experiences frequent storms or harsh weather events, the lifespan of your roof may be much shorter. Keep an eye out for these symptoms and plan for your new roof or new cool roof!
What Is A Cool Roof?
A cool roof is designed and constructed with materials that reflect more heat than they absorb. This can be accomplished by installing different roofing materials and adopting heat-reflecting techniques with your roof design. Cool roof materials can include highly solar reflective paints, tiles, shingles, and sheet coverings. When you install a cool roof, your home may stay cooler than before in the same conditions, saving you money and making your home more comfortable.
How Much Does A Cool Roof Cost?
Installing a cool roof may sound great, but any responsible homeowner would want to know, “How much does a cool roof cost?” The price of a roofing upgrade will vary wildly, depending on the material used and the design of your home.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the price of a cool roof coating can range from $0.75 to $3.00 per square foot. For a home with a typical 1,500 square foot roof, installation costs can add up to between $1,600 and upwards of $6,500. A professional roofing contractor, such as our PACE qualified contractors, will be able to tell you if a roof retrofit or full roof replacement will provide the desired results.
How to Get “Cool Roof Access”
When it comes to roof financing options, Renew Financial offers homeowners throughout California and Florida the opportunity to upgrade their roof without the heavy burden of high upfront costs. You can start seeing the benefits of a cool roof while making low, fixed payments by financing your cool roof upgrade using Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing.
Benefit from:
- 100% Financing
- No out of pocket costs
- Fixed, competitive rates
- A network of PACE qualified roofing contractors
Looking for more information about cool roofs or how you can finance your roofing upgrade with PACE financing? Call Renew Financial at 844-736-3934 or apply now.
