Extra hot temperatures outside usually result in extra high indoor cooling costs. Maybe this is something you are used to and budget for, but are there other ways to cool the home without the expense?
One method used to reduce indoor temperature is a cool roof. What is a cool roof, you may ask? A normal roof will absorb the sun’s heat, which increases the temperature indoors. A cool roof works by reflecting the sun’s radiation, which keeps the home a lot cooler. A cool roof can be created by applying a special type of coating to the already existing roof, or it can be done with a single-ply membrane.
How much cooler is a cool roof? While this will depend on the type of reflective material used, a cool roof has been known to reduce the temperature of the roof by as much as 100 degrees. That is a big difference! Cool roofs are also great to use on city buildings and in large towns as they help stop a building from retaining too much heat, putting less strain on air conditioning units.
Should I install a cool roof? As with any home improvement decision, you should do plenty of research to see whether a cool roof would work for you. In some areas, utility rebates are offered when you have this type of roof, so you may want to check if this is the case in your area.
