How to have a Lower Electric bill: New roofing material

Lower electric bills are something we all would like.  Your roof is a huge source of heat.  Traditional asphalt shingles heat up.  You can cook an egg on our hot Texas roofs.  With the right construction, your roof can help you have a lower electric bill.  New roof coatings are available today which create energy efficiency and are good for the environment.  We will explore the difference between traditional asphalt shingles and new polymer materials which are also called cool roofs.  Uniflex coating is one such material you can use.

Asphalt Shingles Trap Heat.

Asphalt shingles are used because they are less expensive and relatively easy to install as compared to other traditional roofing materials.  However, asphalt shingles absorb light and generate a lot of heat.  They can reach summer temperatures of 156F for black shingles and 138 F for white shingles.   The shingles remain hot into the evening hours.  Asphalt shingles contribute to the urban “heat island” effect.  The urban heal island is the phenomenon of urban construction trapping heat and increasing the air temperatures relative to rural environments.  The fact that cities take longer to cool in the evening is directly related to the urban heat island effect.

Asphalt Shingles Negatively Impact the Environment.

Asphalt shingles are composed of 20% asphalt with the balance being made up of granules.  The granules are there to protect the asphalt to extend its useful life.  These granules shed over time, collect in gutters and leach metals into water.  The negative environmental impact does not stop there.  Approximately 11 million tons of asphalt shingles end up in a landfill each year.  Asphalt naturally contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) some of which are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and may put recycling workers at risk. These types of roofing materials are outlawed in other parts of the developed world.

Advantages of Uniflex Coated Roofs

New polymer coating systems have been developed for roofing materials that have numerous advantages over traditional roofing materials.  These advantage translate to lower environmental impact, lower cost of installation and maintenance and lower overall operating cost of the building.  Some of the advantages are

1. Lower electric bill. The polymer coatings can reflect up to 85% of the radiant energy.  The roof temperature can be up to 100F cooler than black asphalt.  This lower heat directly translates into lower utility bills.   It reduces the urban heat island effect by reflecting the radiant energy back into space.
2. Environmentally Friendly. On virgin roofs, the polymer system is applied to the roofing surface.  With existing asphalt roofs, polymer system coats existing asphalt and extends its life, in some instances up to 40 years.  Chemicals are not leached into the water.  Water run-off can be collected.  The material does not go to the landfill.
3. Lower installation cost. The coating system can be applied for around $2 per square foot.  It is less labor intensive.  It does not require lifting heavy materials or heating tar.  There is no need to remove and dispose of the existing shingle roof.
4. The polymer system expands and contracts with the roof thus reducing the possibility of cracking. The systems can be warrantied for 10 years. Maintenance involves putting on a new coat to extend the roof life.
5. Storm resistant. Because the roofs are coated, shingles do not come off in the wind.  Hail does not damage the coating.
6. Light weight. The polymer system weighs ounces per square foot rather than 2 pounds per square foot.
7. Tax advantages. The polymer coatings can be considered preventive maintenance and in many instances are fully tax deductible the first year.
8. Since the material is Energy Star certified, many areas offer rebates on installation.

New construction methods and materials are not only more cost effective; they are environmentally responsible.  Uniflex coated roofs lower electric bills.  Jodywallrealtor.com and Cincero Investment Properties, Inc. build for the future.  Your roof can help provide a lower electric bill.

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