We all remember the classic concept from physics: ‘Darker color like black attracts heat, and white bounces it away.’ While it may have seemed like a fun fact, it is actually a concept with its real-world applications universally – even on your roofs. As we all know, a good roof paves the way to perfect property insulation.
A roofer who undertakes the challenge of achieving the perfect insulation should pick a carefully engineered roof, with even its color taken into account.
With the onset of winter, the query that nags all homeowners arises- The question that nags at homeowners- “Would a white roof cause winter to cost more?” Looking back at the concept of thermal radiation mentioned before, the answer becomes apparent. Yes, opting for white roofs can hit your wallet hard during winter and hit the cold even harder.
Still, having doubts? Here are some compelling truths that will clear away the fog of doubt and reveal a clear perspective with certainty.
Thermal Performance of White Roofs
Temperature Reduction: White roofs possess the property to reduce the roof temperature by as much as 50°F (28°C) compared to conventional dark roofs because they reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat. White roofs even radiate the heat present inside the households due to their emissivity property.
Energy impact: During cold winter nights, white roofs radiate a great deal of trapped heat, which increases the residents’ dependency on heaters and other heating systems and skyrockets their energy bills. In fact, Reflective white roofs require up to 10% more energy in heating because they fail to absorb heat that buildings can retain to keep the property warm.
Climatic influence: Areas that are greatly affected by cold winters receive sunlight in scarcity, which means that the amount of the sunlight falling on white roofs is so low that the building cannot absorb even the limited warmth from the sun, which significantly increases heating costs.
Innovative ways to prevent a white roof from causing winter to cost more
If you’re a white roof owner worried about your white roof to cause winter to cost more, don’t worry—we’ve got a plan to help you make the most out of your white roofs and keep your bills in check this season:
Proper Insulation: High-quality insulation like spray foam insulation, loose fill insulation, structured insulated panels etc., minimizes heat loss during winter, making white roofs more effective even in colder climates.
Hybrid Roof Colors: Some roofs combine reflective and absorptive properties to balance cooling and heating needs. This technique is popular in regions that experience extreme summers and winters, thereby reducing heating and cooling costs considerably.
Solar Panels: White roofs are a catalyst for your energy bill. By installing solar panels on white roofs, you can power heating systems through them, maximizing energy efficiency as they take advantage of the reflected sunlight.
Summary
In a nutshell, the thermal performance of white roofs depends heavily on the climate and building design. While they excel in thermal emittance, reducing cooling costs during summer, this very emitting property makes their installation in cooler regions a bad idea.
However, with proper planning, white roofs can offer year-round benefits while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. DLV roofing helps with the efficient execution of winterizing white roofs so that your bills are in check and your home is comfortably heated. Call us today to get roofing solutions.