How to Make Sure Your Roof is Energy Compliant for California
10.10.2017 GREEN LIVING 0.0 0

Are you ready to join the millions of Californians who helped California rank #1 in 2016 on the American Council for An Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) Energy Efficiency Scorecard? California has great incentive programs that reward residents for energy efficient home improvement projects. You will be helping the State of California meet its commitment to remain the nation’s leader in environmental protection and preservation, and help it to achieve its goal of reducing carbon pollution to 1990 levels by 2020.

 

If you’re thinking about installing a new roof, don’t wait. Procrastinating might cause you to miss out on tax credits, which drop incrementally — falling to 0 percent by the end of 2021. Consult with local roof installation specialists, like Custom Home Remodeling & Roofing, Inc, to see how much you can save. Read on to learn more about how you can make your roof more energy compliant now!

 

Primary Reasons to Install Energy Efficient Roof

There are several benefits to installing an energy efficient roof. In addition to increasing the overall resale value of your home, you can:

  • Save money on annual energy costs
  • Get a 30 percent Federal tax credit
  • Qualify for rebates and incentives, like the Energy Upgrade California® Home Upgrade or Advanced Home Upgrade, which offers up to $5,500 for single-family homes
  • Do your part to reduce your carbon footprint and help save the planet

 

How a Cool Roof Works

Your home’s roof works to protect against sun exposure. It works with your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to control its temperature, or the amount of heat absorption it receives. When less heat is accumulated, it’s easier for the home to cool and circulate air.

 

Reducing the amount of heat absorption generated by the sun is central to making your roof energy efficient. In order for this to happen, your roof needs to be constructed with heat-reflective materials to help reduce sun exposure, lowering your home’s temperature by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and reduce the amount of air conditioning needed to cool your home by as much as 15 percent.

 

Using Energy Efficient Materials

An energy efficient roof is constructed of materials that reflect more of the sun’s rays and absorb less heat. Whether your home’s style is modern or traditional, you can find reflective materials that are suitable to your particular style and needs. You have selection of shingles, metals, reflective paints, tiles, or sheeting to choose from.

 

For the most reliable way to identify cool roofing materials, just look for the ENERGY STAR logo. All of these roofing products are certified by the U.S. Department of Energy and meet the California Energy Commission’s guidelines.

 

Going Solar

While cooling roofing materials and colors are a great option for energy efficiency, a solar roof is the best solution to mitigate cooling costs and help California reach its goal. For those who live in sunnier areas, solar roofs can help you save more than $6,000 each year. Installing solar panels initially can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000 — depending on the size of your roof. While this may seem a bit high, with incentives and rebates, many people manage to cut these costs by more than half!

 

If you don’t want to take on the installation costs of solar panels on your own and you aren’t interested in searching for government incentives, solar leasing is another option you may want to consider. You won’t have to take on the upfront costs of installation, materials, or equipment. Instead, you pay a monthly amount to use the electricity that they generate.

 

How Long Will My New Roof Last?

The average lifespan of a roof is roughly 20 years. However, this greatly depends on the type of materials you select. Many trusted sources suggest that a tile roof can last more than 50 years, while a high quality slate roof can last 100 years.

 

The key to extending the lifespan of your new roof is hiring qualified professionals and selecting high-grade materials. This, and other factors such as climate and regular maintenance, will ultimately determine how long your roof lasts.

 

Financing Options Are Available

While the average cost of a new roof in California can run anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000, the size of your roof, the materials you choose, and other factors will ultimately determine your final cost.

 

If costs are a concern, financing options are available through programs like Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and Ygreene. These offer up to 100 percent financing for energy efficiency home improvement projects.

 

Taking Action

Many people find such a big project daunting, as so many things need to be taken care of, but choosing a professional to assist you is the ideal solution. You cost worries can be mitigated when you use smart financing options and visit the Center for Sustainable Energy to locate a financing program in your area.

Written by Brian Wellman

Image(s):

  1. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Ranch_style_home_in_Salinas%2C_California.JPG
  2. http://www.greenbuildingassembly.com/uploads/2/8/8/5/28857925/5692058.jpg?452

 

 

About the Author

Brian Wellman is an experienced roofing expert specializing in solar and green roofing technology. He runs an online blog where he shares information on the latest developments in the roofing industry in California and also offers expert tips to homeowners on how to save on roof installation and maintenance. When he’s not working, he loves fishing and visiting new places.

 

 


TAGS:energy efficiency, Home Improvement, green living, Califonia, home remodeling

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