When it comes to choosing a roof for their home, most people think that choosing the right material is the only important thing. Choosing the right color is also extremely important, not only for aesthetic reasons but for functional reasons as well. Choosing the right roof color can keep your interiors more consistent in temperature, which can save you on utility bills.
Some colors reflect more sunlight and do not absorb much heat. This helps keep your home cooler, and you stay more comfortable without straining your HVAC system. In this post, we will find out how your roof color can impact your property’s energy efficiency:
Ways in which roof color impacts energy efficiency
Solar reflectivity
Solar reflectivity or solar reflectance is the ability of a material to reflect solar energy from its surface back into the atmosphere. Solar reflectivity value is a number from 0 to 1.0, where 0 indicates that the material absorbs all solar energy and 1.0 indicates total reflectance. Light-colored roofs have higher solar reflectivity values compared to dark-colored roofs, which means they reflect a large proportion of sunlight. So they are better able to keep your property cool during the summer.
Thermal emittance: Thermal emittance is the amount of absorbed heat that radiates from the roof. It is expressed as a percentage or a number between 0 and 1. The higher the thermal emittance value, the better the roof radiates heat. Light-colored roofs have a lower thermal emittance than dark-colored roofs. They release less heat into the atmosphere and help maintain cooler indoor temperatures during hot weather.
Solar Reflectance Index
The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is a measure of the solar reflectance and emissivity of materials. The SRI is used as an indicator of how hot the roof is likely to become when solar radiation is incident on its surface. The lower the index, the hotter a material is likely to become when exposed to sunlight. A standard black has an SRI of zero, and that of white is 100.
So, the color of the roof can affect how much heat gets into your property. This can impact the energy use. Dark-colored roofs, such as black and gray, absorb more sunlight and can get really hot, which can make your interiors warmer, especially if you live in a warm place.
Similarly, light-colored roofs such as white reflect more sunlight and do not absorb much heat, which keeps your home’s interiors cooler. They do not soak up much heat, so your HVAC system does not have to work hard to keep your home cool and comfortable. This can translate into considerable energy savings and lower utility bills. Choosing the right color for your roof not only saves you money but also helps the environment.
Other facts that impact the energy efficiency of the roof
Apart from the color of the roof, other factors also impact its energy efficiency. The material of the roof affects how well it can reflect or absorb sunlight. For example, while asphalt absorbs more heat and causes indoor temperatures to increase, metal roofs are highly reflective and can help keep your home cool.
Insulation and ventilation are two more factors that affect the energy efficiency of your home. Better insulation and effective ventilation can help maintain a comfortable temperature inside the property.
Looking for a new roof for your home? Get in touch with our roofing experts to get advice on choosing the right colors and materials.
