7 Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bill by Fixing Up Your Roof
We always look for new ways to earn money, or at least save some of what we’ve worked so hard to earn. We come up with new plans and techniques to save a couple of dollars in the household. Bills are one of the most important things we have to take care of every month, and if we manage to save a bit on every bill, we’re looking at a considerable sum by the end of the year.
Here’s how you can save money on your energy bill if you take good care of your roof.
More...
Install Solar Panels
This is the most obvious solution: by installing solar panels on your roof, you will be collecting energy yourself, thus using less electricity. The best thing is that solar panels can easily be installed to pretty much any kind of roof.
Not only will you be saving money on electricity bills, but you will be living a more ‘green’ life and have less impact on the environment. While they are still costly, they are a great investment, especially if you’re planning to stay in your house for a long time.
Get A Cool Roof
We spend a lot of money on air conditioning every summer, and for good reason: we are trying to escape the heat from the outside and we love staying nice and cool while the temperatures are going up.
Our homes get hot through our roofs too, and if your house is in a sunny spot, you might try solving the problem by installing a cool roof. Those are specially designed roofs which reflect the sun and absorb less heat than regular dark roofs. They are usually white, made of or covered in reflective materials (tiles, shingles, and paint). The inside of your house will be cooler which will significantly lower air conditioning costs.
Opt For A Green Roof
A great way to save money and be more environmentally-friendly is to opt for a green roof. This is much like having a garden on top of your house; not just good for esthetics, but for saving money too. If you have grass and other native vegetation growing on top of your house, you will be able to breathe cleaner air.
There are limitations, though, as green roofs are not a good idea for roofs which are too steeply sloped. Not only is your home insulated, but greenery also provides a solid protection from the elements, which means that you will not have to spend too much money on repairs.
Better Insulation
If your home has poor insulation, you are likely to spend more money on electricity as it’s difficult to keep your home properly cool in summer and warm in winter. When your attic insulation is old, compacted, made from low-quality materials, or improperly installed, your household will likely consume more energy than it should.
As the sun heats up your roof, a part of that heat is absorbed into your attic, and if your insulation isn’t good, your home will become warmer and you will use air conditioning more. In winter, it’s the opposite case – all the heat you’re trying to keep in will leave through the poorly insulated attic.
When you replace your old insulation with a new one made of high-quality materials, energy efficiency levels of your home will be drastically improved.
Moisture Protection
If you live in an area with a lot of moisture and rainfall, there can be a severe decline in shingle quality over the years, which is why many people look for additional ways to protect their shingles from decay. It’s not just the outside moisture you should be worried about, but all the cooking and showering can create moisture in your home which can damage sheathing and plywood.
Underlayment is a protective layer which is placed underneath the shingles and it’s usually made out of synthetic materials. Modern underlayments are called “peel and stick” and they are easy to install. They act as additional protection for the wood underneath the shingles and a secondary barrier for moisture.
Choose Skylights
Another reason our electricity bills are so high is because we turn on our lights even during the day. A great way to lower your energy bill is simply to a not turn on the lights as much during the day. Of course, you can’t be expected to sit in the dark all day long, but you can try installing skylights which will provide you with more natural light every day.
They are easily built into the roof and give you more natural light, which is a healthy and energy-saving option. What is more, natural lightoffers a number of health benefits, so you will be saving your money and feel less blue at the same time.
Fix Your Old Roof
You might think that you will be able to save money by replacing your old roof with a new one, but sometimes all you need to do is fix a couple of things and your old roof will be able to hold on for a few more years.
This isn’t something you can do alone, and if you think that repairing your old roof is the way to go, call professionals in roof restoration from Melbourne and have them come over and take a look at your roof before you make any decisions.
Professionals will be able to tell you how much it would cost to re-roof your home, so you can decide whether it’s more convenient to restore your old one or to get a new roof after all.
Conclusion
Saving a bit here and a bit there might not seem like much at first, and this is one of the reasons why people don’t even bother making small changes in their lifestyles and habits. On the other hand, if you work hard and save a small amount of money every month, it means that you’ll be able to save a significant amount by the end of the year.
