Energy Efficient Roofs

 

(photo credit: Google Images)

In the summer time, the heat from your roof makes your air conditioner work even harder to keep your home cool. If you are building a new home, it is important to decide whether you want a cool roof, and if you want to convert an existing roof, you can:

• Retrofit the roof with specialized heat-reflective material
• Re-cover the roof with a new waterproofing surface (such as tile coating)
• Replace the roof with a cool one

A cool roof uses material that is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. 

Cool roofs lower the temperature of your roof by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and save energy and money by using less air conditioning. 

Cool roofs can help communities by lowering emissions from power plants and less demand for new power plants. They also help reduce heat islands in urban areas.

Source: http://www.energysavers.gov/tips/roofs.cfm

Energy Efficient Roofs

 

(photo credit: Google Images)

In the summer time, the heat from your roof makes your air conditioner work even harder to keep your home cool. If you are building a new home, it is important to decide whether you want a cool roof, and if you want to convert an existing roof, you can:

• Retrofit the roof with specialized heat-reflective material
• Re-cover the roof with a new waterproofing surface (such as tile coating)
• Replace the roof with a cool one

A cool roof uses material that is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. 

Cool roofs lower the temperature of your roof by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and save energy and money by using less air conditioning. 

Article source: http://www.energysavers.gov/tips/roofs.cfm

Cool roofs can help communities by lowering emissions from power plants and less demand for new power plants. They also help reduce heat islands in urban areas.

Source:

Window Shopping Tips

• When shopping for new windows: look for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label; it means that the windows are performance certified
• Lower U-Value = better insulation (e.g. U-value of 0.35 or below is recommended) 
• In warm climates, look for windows with double glazing & spectrally selective coatings that reduce heat gain
• Select windows with air leakage ratings of 0.3 cubic feet per minute or less
• In temperate climates with both heating and cooling seasons, select windows with both low U-values and low solar heat gain coefficiency (SHGC) to maximize energy benefits
• Look for Energy Star & EnergyGuide labels

Be Prepared for a Power Outage

Emergency supplies you should have before an emergency happens especially a power outage:

• First Aid kit
• Canned goods & dry food mixes (camping supplies)
• Battery powered space heater
• Matches
• Candles
• Candle stick holders
• Water & juices
• Seasoned firewood
• Water repellent tarps
• Blankets
• Fire extinguisher

Food Safety

These foods should be disposed of if the power outage lasts longer than 4-8 hours:

• Eggs
• Leftovers
• Any milk products (except butter)
• Fresh meats
• Soft cheeses, low-fat cheese, shredded cheese
• Gravy
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Mayo
• Poultry
• Seafood