Want to save money on your new home's long-term ownership costs? Your roof may be a potentially overlooked area for both efficiency and longevity. Making the best choices for your roof now can mean lower utility bills, more comfortable interior temperatures, and even reduced maintenance costs over the long term.

Building an energy-efficient roof for your new home doesn't have to be challenging or costly. Depending on your budget and personal preferences, you can choose several roofing options to make your home greener. This article will discuss three ways your new roofing can contribute to a more environmentally friendly and energy-conscious future.

1. Start With Proper Ventilation 

One of the most straightforward ways to improve energy efficiency is with proper ventilation. Your roof and attic should work together to vent air from your house. Proper ventilation allows warm air to rise into the attic and vent back into the environment in the summer. This design also reduces the thermal load on your air conditioner and helps to vent moist air, preventing attic mold problems.

Before moving on to more specific energy-efficient upgrades, you should discuss your ventilation system with your roofing contractor. Powered attic ventilation fans may be a worthwhile option to consider. Your roofer will be able to discuss the pros and cons of different ventilation designs with you so that you can choose the one that fits your needs and budget.

2. Choose an Energy-Efficient Material

Roofing material can have a significant impact on the thermal loading placed on your home by your roof. Standard asphalt shingles are among the least energy-efficient options, while metal roofing is usually near the top of the list. If you prefer the look of asphalt, you can opt for specialized energy-efficient shingles that reflect more heat away from your home.

When you're considering roofing options, look for certified products that meet EPA standards for high-efficiency roofing, which can save you money and help keep your home cool.

3. Select an Appropriate Color

You'll need to learn a little physics to understand why your roof's color matters for energy efficiency. When you look at an object, the colors you're seeing are the wavelengths of light reflected at you from its surface. A dark object absorbs more light (and thus more energy), while a white surface reflects more sunlight away.

As a result, white roofs reject a more significant amount of the sun's energy. This quality helps keep the roof's surface cool, which means less heat transfers into your home. A lighter roof can contribute significantly to your home's energy savings when combined with energy-efficient roofing materials and proper ventilation.

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