When trying to find cost savings for your commercial building, you may not automatically think to replace the roof. However, a new commercial roof can provide dramatic energy savings for your building. Why? It’s simple. A properly maintained roof provides better insulation and protection for your building, ultimately lowering energy bills in the process.
Keeping You Commercial Building Warm
The main purpose of your roofing system is to provide shelter from the outside elements. This couldn’t be more important than in winter months. During cold temperatures and snowfall, your roof protects everyone (and everything) inside your building. But did you know that a new commercial roof could save you on energy costs, as well?
A new roof provides proper insulation, meaning you won’t have to spike up your thermostat (and in turn, your utility bill). Damaged roofs, by comparison, cause your heating system to work extra hard and spend more energy. Not to mention, an improperly maintained roof is much more likely to be damaged during the winter months, as well.
Snow accumulation adds heavy weight to your roof, which can cause your roof to sag or dip. And ice on your roof will not just add weight, but its sharp edges can also scratch the roofing materials. When snow and ice melt, the water then causes more problems. (If your low-slope or flat roof has a dip, pooling water will form. Water that remains on your roof will slowly degrade the materials, leading to potential leaks or harmful mold growth.)
When your roof is beyond reasonable maintenance and repair, it’s time for a roof replacement. Even in the depths of winter, you don’t have to wait before scheduling the installation of your new roof. It can be done ASAP. And as a result, your new, intact roofing membrane will decrease your energy use because less heat is required for your commercial building. The best time to replace your roof is whenever you need it, although there are benefits associated with each season.
Keeping Commercial Buildings Cool
Most people understand that winter months can damage your roof, but not as many realize that the summer can cause a lot of damage, too. UV rays bleach and discolor roofing materials, speeding up the chemical processes and degrading the roof membrane. Maintaining your roof in the warmer months is just as important as during winter. Once the weather heats up, your roof plays a major role in the amount of energy emissions from your house. With a leaky commercial roof, all that cold air easily escapes.
When it comes to installing a new roof for your commercial building, there are plenty of energy-efficient roofing options that are extremely effective at counteracting the heat from the sun’s rays.
Did you know that the color of your roof shingles affects your energy bills? Dark colors absorb more light energy and in turn absorb more heat. The more sunlight your roof gets, the warmer it will be. For dark colored roofs, this will heat up more than just the surface. The heat from your roofing system will affect the heat within the entire building, making your air conditioning unit work even harder, and ultimately increasing energy consumption.
Light-colored roofs have the ability to reflect some light, which automatically decreases the amount of heat that your roof absorbs (thus decreasing your energy usage when trying to keep cool in the summer). Materials with high solar reflectance are becoming increasingly popular because reflective roof surfaces not only stay cooler than darker colors but also actively avoid absorbing light energy. A cool roof system is one of the best ways to save money on your air conditioning and cooling system!
Maintaining Your Roofing System
Naturally, a damaged roof will mean more energy emissions as HVAC systems work to counteract the exposure and poor insulation. While it may seem expensive to replace your roof, the cost-savings from your energy bill will say otherwise. Plus, with regular preventative maintenance, your roof can last for decades no matter the commercial roof product used – metal roofing, TPO, PVC, you name it! This means less frequent roof replacement.
Preventative maintenance and roof inspections should be year-round. The more frequent the maintenance/inspection, the fewer repairs are necessary. A roofing contractor will be able to inspect your roof thoroughly, knowing the common trouble areas. Additionally, professional roofers know how to travel on your industrial building’s roof without causing more harm. The maintenance necessary varies on the season.
Fall
In the fall, leaves build up on your roof and collect moisture. The more leaves, the heavier the weight put on your roof (in addition to the moisture causing potential leaks). To combat this, clear your roof of debris and clean out your gutters from leaves. Heavy gutters will pull down and harm your roofing membrane.
Winter
Snow and ice can also add weight and excessive moisture to your roof. Excess snow and ice should be removed from the roof as soon as possible. The heavy weight on a flat roof can cause it to sag or dip, while ice can scratch the surface and cause penetrations. If excessive snow is left to melt on the roof of your commercial property, the water may pool and create costly water damage.
Spring
Thunderstorms are common in the spring and summer months. Strong winds and flying debris can damage your roof. After extreme weather events, inspect your roof for any damage and clear collected debris.
Summer
UV rays are extremely harmful to your roof’s surface. Cool roof coatings and reflective coatings are a great way to combat the harmful effects of the sun. Summer is also a good time to reapply coatings and sealants leading into the fall and winter months.
The best, most cost-effective way to reduce energy bills is to have a properly maintained roof. Hire a trusted roofing company to inspect and maintain your roof (no matter the square foot) on a regular basis to ensure that your heating and cooling costs are as low as possible.
Roof Options to Reduce Energy Use
While cool roof coatings are an easy way to reduce energy usage in the summer, there are other additions you can make to your roof, including rooftop HVAC units and skylights.
Rooftop HVAC units have many benefits, but they can also reduce energy costs. Rooftop units typically have more control settings than ground HVAC systems. This allows you to easily and precisely adjust the temperature in your commercial building. With this added control, you will spend less energy to regulate temperature. Additionally, rooftop HVAC units have good SEER ratings (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), which shows how efficiently your system runs during warmer months.
Skylights can also help with energy savings. During the day, skylights provide natural light and reduce the amount of artificial light needed inside the building. If your commercial building primarily operates during daylight hours, this is a great way to lower your electricity bill.
TEMA Roofing Services Can Lower Your Energy Bill
A new commercial roof means energy savings for you. TEMA Roofing Services can help reduce your annual energy usage and spend less on utilities. A new roof will provide your commercial building with proper insulation and will last longer against the elements. And, properly maintaining your roof will also help spend less on energy bills by ensuring your roof doesn’t have any leaks or damage. For any commercial roofing project (including roof replacement, inspection, and maintenance) call TEMA Roofing Services.
