In a humid subtropical area like Metro Atlanta, energy efficiency is key to keeping our homes comfortable all year round. For some, turning the heat on one day only to turn the air conditioning on the next can get quite expensive, especially on older homes that weren’t built with energy efficiency in mind. Fortunately, for many years now, home material manufacturers have been aware of this issue and have created many products that can make even the oldest homes more energy efficient, saving homeowners money year after year.
Your roof plays a large part in your home energy efficiency plans. Being the front-line of defense against the elements, you’ll want roof materials that advantage of natural situations like absorbing the suns’ heating effects in the winter while reflecting rays in the summer or even fancy solar tiles that can generate electricity for your home while it protects!
With the large variety of materials available for your roof how do you know what’s energy efficient?
Even if you don’t have the budget for or access to the fancier materials, it’s not just the “Cadillac” materials that are energy efficient. One of the easier ways to find out what roof materials are energy efficient is to look for the ENERGY STAR label when browsing materials, visit their website or simply ask your roof contractor to provide you ENERGY STAR labeled options.
In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program to promote and help consumers identify products that are energy efficient and to encourage use of these products.
Manufacturers and retailers sign voluntary agreements that allows them to use these labels as long as their products meet or exceed energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy (DOE).
ENERGY STAR ISN’T JUST FOR ELECTRONICS & APPLIANCES
Consumers are used to seeing these labels on everything from PC’s to refrigerators, washing machines to toasters and many other electronic products. But you may not know, this designation isn’t just for electronics. Roofing materials such as solar panels and other reflective roof materials use this label as well.
The Energy Star label is available on a variety of eligible roofing products including many types of shingles, roof coatings, single-ply membranes and more.
ENERGY STAR ROOF PRODUCTS MUST HAVE WARRANTIES THAT MATCH
While Energy Star labeled roofing products are designed to reduce energy waste and reduce utility bills themselves, they are also required to a have a matching warranty that ensures they perform equal to or superior to non-reflective roof products.
Manufacturers must test their products using EPA testing methods outlined in the Energy Star Program Requirements for Roof Products to get the label on their materials giving consumers a clear signal that the products they buy truly are energy efficient and will remain so long after the initial purchase.
Ask your local roof contractor about Energy Star labeled roof materials for your next roof and enjoy real energy saving for years to come!
For more information on the Energy Star Program and roof products visit the Energy Star Website at https://www.energystar.gov/products/building_products/roof_products.
In Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Roofing Specialists has been assisting energy conscience homeowners and businesses since 1993. For a free estimate on your new, energy efficient roof, call today at 770-419-2222.