The roof is one of the biggest fixtures of a home. It is there to protect you from the elements and ensure that your home remains insulated and maintains a comfortable temperature. However, not all roofs are created equal, and some roofs do a better job of keeping your home energy efficient.

Creating an energy efficient roof will save you money and energy. Here are a few things you need to know to ensure your roof is energy efficient.

1.    Roof Color Matters

It is common knowledge that dark colors absorb heat while light colors reflect heat. Your roof is not an exception to this rule. The color of your roof is one of the most important factors in maintaining energy efficiency. The right color roof will save you money on your energy bills while also saving you money on future maintenance. In my experience, having the proper color roof for the region you live in can get you up to five more years of life out of a 20-year shingle.

Here in southern CA, white or light brown color will do a better job of reflecting the energy of the sun, keeping your house cooler during the hottest desert months.

2.    Material Matters

The right color roof is important, but a light roof made from the wrong materials is not going to outperform a dark roof made with the right material (and vice versa.)

The most common types of Energy Star labeled roofs are made of asphalt shingles, metal roofing, slate roofing or tile roofing, and of course Coatings such as Silicone and Acrylic.

3.    Ventilation is key

There are not many places that can get hotter than an attic. During the summer in hot climates, an attic can reach temperatures of up to 150 degrees. The harder your AC has to work to cool down your house, the more energy you are going to waste. This means that ventilation is key to an energy efficient roof.

An energy efficient roof needs cool outside air to enter your home via intakes and needs hot air to leave the attic via exhausts.

Hot air from your attic will eventually rise and leave your attic, but the amount of air circulation may not be enough to cool your house. To create an energy efficient roof, I would recommend installing turbine fans or O’hagen vents on your roof to actively push the hot air out.

Once you have factored in these three aspects of energy efficient roofing, you are well on your way to saving money and energy.