Having an older roof can give your home a distinctive appearance. However, older roofs can also make it easier for heated or cooled air to escape your home, especially when they’re not properly insulated or installed. This can lead to high heating and cooling bills and a chilly or uncomfortably hot interior. How can you make your home more environmentally friendly and lower your energy bills? Consider doing the following if your home in the Boston area has an older roof.
Replace Your Older Roof
Older roofs can cost you significantly in terms of energy bills and repairs due to wear and tear. Installing an entirely new roof offers a highly effective way to reduce your home’s energy usage. Older roofs aren’t as energy-efficient as newer ones. If you have an older roof that wasn’t installed correctly or doesn’t have adequate insulation, your home could be losing a considerable amount of heated and cooled air.
The materials used for your older roof might absorb more heat from the sun during summer, making your home hotter. During winter, older roofing material might result in a colder home as heated indoor air seeps through. Depending on the roof’s age, the insulative materials used might be outdated and inefficient compared to today’s standards.
A roof replacement involves removing your older roof and replacing it with a brand-new one that is more energy-efficient. You can choose roofing materials designed to keep heated air inside your home and reflect the sun’s rays in summer instead of absorbing them. This is a great way to lower the amount of energy your home uses for heating and cooling.
Benefits of a Roof Replacement
When you have a roof replacement done, you can expect to save money on your energy bills. Your air conditioning won’t need to run a lot in summer to cool your home, and your furnace won’t have to kick on as frequently to warm your home in winter. In addition to lowering your energy bills, this helps reduce wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment.
Good for the Environment
Using less energy after a roof replacement is also beneficial for the environment. Running your HVAC equipment, especially if you have a gas furnace, involves burning fossil fuels and using a high amount of electricity. A roof replacement can help you reduce the time your HVAC equipment runs while keeping your home interior comfortable.
Eco-Friendly Roofing Materials
New roofing systems are also more environmentally friendly in terms of the materials used. For example, you can install a roof that uses recycled materials instead of having all new materials manufactured. Another option is to use slate, which does not require manufacturing that relies on fossil fuels. It is also recyclable when its life on your roof has come to an end.
Additional Eco-Friendly Services
When you have a roof replacement done, you can also have other services done to boost your home’s energy efficiency. You might consider having skylights or daylights installed during your roof replacement. Skylights can help you save energy differently by letting in more daylight, so you don’t have to keep indoor lights on as much. They also feature the ability to let in sunlight without increasing the heat that comes through, so your home remains energy efficient.
Government Tax Credits
Some roof additions that are considered “green” also come with extra incentives offered by the government. Federal tax credits are available for VELUX Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylights and other eligible VELUX Skylights with Go Solar. These credits are available for skylights purchased & installed between January of 2009 and extend all the way until December 31, 2034. If you’ve ever considered installing skylights in order to increase passive, energy efficient lighting in your home, now is the time!
Hire an Experienced Roofing Company in Boston
If you decide to replace your older roof, find an experienced local roofer to handle it. At O’LYN Roofing, we have years of experience with roof replacement and other roofing services in the Boston area.
Our team can ensure your home becomes more environmentally friendly with a brand-new roof with environmentally green options. We offer energy-efficient shingles through both Owens Corning and CertainTeed that help your home stay warmer in winter or cooler in summer.
Our services also include skylight installation and attic insulation. We can install skylights in one or more areas of your home to let in more natural light and help it stay warmer in winter. We can also add or replace insulation in your attic.
Our family-owned business has been providing high-quality, dependable roofing services in the Boston area since 1974. You can count on us to properly install your new roof, put in skylights, and make sure your attic has enough insulation. These steps can go a long way toward helping your home reduce energy usage while making your home more comfortable.
Make Your Home More Environmentally Friendly With O’LYN Roofing
If you’re ready for a roof replacement, don’t hesitate to contact O’LYN Roofing. Our roofing experts in the Boston area can provide more details on the roof replacement process. We can also answer any questions you have about our roofing services.
