On a hot summer day, even indoors, wouldn’t it be nice to have just a little drop in temperature at least? A cool home is a happy home, after all. What’s making it so hot anyway? According to the Department of Energy, the temperature on the surface of a dark-pigmented roof can be more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the surrounding air temperature. In turn, there will be higher air conditioning requirements, higher energy costs, and more discomfort. Now, imagine that same roof, only this time, multiplied by a hundred… It’s possible right? If you’re in doubt, why don’t you go outside and count the number of dark colored roofs in your neighborhood. Later on you will realize that it maybe the actual reason why it’s 6 to 8 Fahrenheit degrees higher.
Another reason why you should worry about a hot roof is because of its own sake. You wouldn’t want an overheated roof because it will most likely curl up and fail much quicker, they say. Now, instead of suffering inside your hot, stuffy home, why not look forward to the sunny summer season with these three tips of cooling down your roof. Ready now to save money and conserve energy by turning your roof into a cool one?
Water is a very effective way to cool down your roof. So do install a simple sprinkler system using some of the used water stored in a tank or containers. You can also save more money by extending the range of the sprinkler system to cover that of your lawn (if you have one).
Turn your roof in a laundry-drying zone, if possible. Place clothesline across roof and hang your wet laundry, preferably in the late afternoon so that all the heat will be used up, and at the same time, you laundry dries up faster. Two birds with one stone. The water from the dripping wet laundry will also cool down your roof.
Place pots of trees and shrubs on your roof. Or better yet, consider putting a rooftop garden. The leaves of your plants use the sun as a way of making food. Heat is then absorbed and air becomes cooler. However, green roofs are more expensive than other cool roof options. But don’t you think improved quality of life and environmental awareness are priceless goals?
If you are successful in cooling down your roof, share your stories and spread the word! It’s good that you started small. These small acts, combined together with other ones, will make a big difference. Plus, it will be a cooler neighborhood too.
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