How You Can Cut Energy Costs With a New Reflective 'Cool Roof'

How You Can Cut Energy Costs , With a New Reflective , 'Cool Roof'.

LifeHacker recently reported on the benefits of installing a new cool roof, including keeping monthly utility costs down.

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A cool roof reflects more sunlight from the surface of your roof, which helps to keep your house cool when temperatures rise.

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This is usually done with lighter colored materials, but can also incorporate materials designed to reflect infrared light without changing the roof's appearance.

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According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this type of roof can bring the exterior temperature of a roof down about 50 degrees on a hot day.

This can help bring the interior temperature of a home down to safer levels, even without air conditioning.

LifeHacker points out that the price of installing a new cool roof is similar to a traditional roof, which is already a costly investment.

LifeHacker points out that the price of installing a new cool roof is similar to a traditional roof, which is already a costly investment.

When shopping around for cool roofs, a number of materials are available, depending on the slope of your roof, the local climate and your aesthetic taste.

When shopping around for cool roofs, a number of materials are available, depending on the slope of your roof, the local climate and your aesthetic taste.

This includes everything from shingles coated in an IR reflective coating for steep roofs, to light-colored single-ply membranes for low-slope roofs.

Other approaches involve reflective mineral coatings or layers of reflexive marble.

Green roofs, or living roofs, which are one of the most sustainable types of roof, are another option for reducing interior temperatures, however, the cost can be prohibitive