Energy Star Metal Roofing

Becoming more energy efficient is one step that we can make in order to have a lesser impact on the planet. Choosing energy efficient lights and appliances is a common choice for many homeowners, but one thing they tend to overlook is the energy efficiency of their roofing material.

Upgrading your home to a metal roof can save you up to 40% on energy consumption by reducing the amount of cooling energy your home requires. By reflecting the sun's rays your home stays cooler during the summer and in turn your energy bill declines.

For an additional incentive the US Government is giving homeowners a tax credit when they replace their roof with an Energy Star approved metal roofing material in 2009. Qualified homeowners can get a credit of 10% of their roofing cost up to $500.

A home with dark asphalt shingles absorbs the heat from the sun and then releases it when the sun goes down, increasing the temperature within your home. Metal roofing, particularly a reflective coated Energy Star metal roof will not absorb heat instead it reflects the sun's rays keeping your home cooler throughout the day.

Different types of metal roofs offer varying levels of heat reflection, so check with the manufacturer when you are looking at roofing options. The hotter the climate, the more reflective your roof should be. Most often metal roofing material will have a reflective or granular coated surface to increase the effectiveness of the roof when it comes to reflecting heat from the sun.

Within your home you may also notice the benefits of a metal roof. Often older homes have moisture around the windows which can cause peeling paint and mold. Metal roofs are more effective at keeping out moisture, so these problems so be reduced. Also homeowners will find that their new metal roof is virtually maintenance free and will never crack, break or grow moss or lichens.

Those who use an air conditioner to cool their homes will find that their new metal roof means less use of the air conditioner, meaning direct savings in the cost of energy as well as the ability to switch to a smaller unit for additional savings.

Environmentally-speaker, a metal roof is a much more Earth friendly option than shakes or shingles. Metal roofs use recycled materials and can be installed over your old roof, saving valuable landfill space. When your roof is ready to be replaced (in 20 to 30 years) it can be fully recycled into new metal products. Metal roofing also reduces the occurrence of urban hot zones, which happens when the dark asphalt roofs of homes release heat in the evening, raising the air temperature. This phenomenon contributes to poor air quality and smog, so choosing a metal roof can actually make the air around your home cleaner.

It is easy to see why metal roofing has become so popular with all of its benefits. Better for the environment, easier to maintain and now with a tax credit for 2009 perhaps it's time for a new roof on you home.



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