Four Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bill Through Your Roof
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(SAVANNAH, GA / RICHMOND HILL, GA) The record-breaking temperatures in Southeast Georgia this summer have done more than just sap energy. They have also contributed to skyrocketing power bills.
RPI Energy, a division of RPI, a Richmond Hill-based roofing company that specializes in commercial, industrial and residential roofs, offers the following tips to reduce energy bills through your roof.
Use Lighter Colored Roofing Materials
Roofs traditionally are black, however, more and more consumers are discovering the benefits of using white or cool color roofing systems. Cool roofs work by reflecting and emitting the heat of the sun back into the atmosphere. This process of solar reflectance and thermal remittance helps keep occupants more comfortable, especially during the summer. As a bonus, air conditioning costs can be reduced, thereby reducing power bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by installing a white or cool color roof, consumers can reduce their annual air conditioning energy use by up to 15 percent for a single-story building.
Other benefits of cool roofs include a reduction of peak demand for electricity, which ultimately may help to lower costs and prevent power outages. Cool roofs also can mitigate global warming and reduce the urban heat island effect and smog.
Insulate Your Roof
Adding insulation to a roof system is another way to decrease energy consumption. Polyiso, a thermosetting type of plastic with closed-cell foam, has low-conductivity gas in its cells. Though used mostly on commercial roofs, many homebuilders and homeowners are beginning to use the material because of its high thermal performance. Polyiso is available in liquid, rigid foam board and sprayed foam forms. Installing polyiso insulation below the membranes of the roof can reduce energy usage and help decrease your energy bill.
Use Solar Photovoltaic Panels on Your Roof
Generating electricity by installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is not only environmentally friendly, it also can save the consumer money in the long run. PV cells work by converting sunlight directly into electricity. Using that solar electricity on your rooftop can power various parts of your home, from hot water systems to solar attic fans. In the long run, solar roofs help reduce peak energy costs incurred, especially during the hot summer months.
Install a Green Roof
Green roofs, also known as living roofs, are rooftops that are covered either entirely or partially with some form of vegetation. The roofs feature a waterproof membrane underneath the vegetation. Some green roofs also include drainage and irrigation systems.
Installing a green roof can help reduce heat by adding another layer between the building and the environment. Green roofs with drainage and irrigation systems have added benefits including rainwater harvesting, in which the homeowner uses his or her roof to channel and store water. Such water can be used to water the grass, thus reducing monthly water bills. Harvesting rainwater is especially helpful for people who live in areas where daily water use is restricted.
“The roofing industry offers a number of environmentally friendly solutions that benefit the customer and the world around us,” says John Reynolds, president of RPI. “Even minor changes to a roof can make a big difference to consumers looking to lower their electric bills and protect the environment.
About RPI
RPI (Roofing Professionals, Inc.) has served residential, commercial and industrial clients for more than 11 years, providing professional roofing solutions from standard maintenance to restoration and replacement. In addition to offering traditional roofing services to customers in Southeast Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, and South Carolina, RPI specializes in green roofing initiatives. RPI was recently presented with a 2011 Firestone Partner in Quality Award for its dedication to roofing system excellence and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. For more information, please call 912-756-ROOF (7663), email info@rpiroof.com or visit www.rpiroof.com.