With winter fully upon us now, it’s likely that you’ve noticed your energy bills climbing. This is a reality for everyone in Auckland, but for some, the spike is much worse than for others. Why? Because their home isn’t energy efficient.
Energy efficiency sounds like a buzzword, but it’s actually a facet of your home that could be costing you hundreds (or even thousands) a year if it isn’t up to scratch. And oddly enough, a big part of the equation is your roof. Namely, your roofing ventilation.
So, if you’re tired of high energy bills and seeking a solution, you’re in the right place. Read on as we get into the nitty gritty of energy efficiency and how it relates to ventilation on a roof.
What is Energy Efficiency, Really?
Energy efficiency is all about the balance of power emitted vs. results achieved. If your home can maintain comfortable temperatures, functioning appliances, and a liveable environment while using less energy, then you have an energy-efficient home.
But if your poor heat pump and appliances have to work extra hard just to keep your home’s ambient temperature in the right spot, then that’s not efficient. It’s demanding a higher flow of power more frequently, which is why you might be noticing your bills climbing.
To do more with less, you need all the systems that keep your home energy-efficient to be working together.
What impacts how energy efficient your home is?
· Insulation and building materials. Older homes often lose heat through badly-insulated walls, ceilings, and floors.
· Window types and seals. Air leaking through ageing frames can cause drafts and waste energy spent on warm air.
· Age of appliances. Older appliances tend to consume more power to perform the same tasks that they used to with less.
· Ventilation. This is a big one, and often the least appreciated. Roofing ventilation is a major contributor to your home’s energy efficiency.
As you can see, energy efficiency is less about one system and more about balancing a few interconnecting systems that work together to keep your home dry and comfortable. Not only that, but it relates directly to your health.
With the lessons the construction industry learned from Auckland’s Leaky Home Disaster, these aspects of energy efficiency have made their way into the Healthy Homes Act. A cold, damp home invites mould and other serious issues that can make you or your family members sick, so this is a wide-spanning issue that deserves your attention.
How Roof Ventilation Can Improve Energy Efficiency
Ventilation on a roof may not be the first thing you think of when planning energy improvements. In fact, adding ventilation might seem almost counterintuitive. But it’s one of the most impactful ways to balance out your bills and prevent long-term damage in your roof cavity from fluctuating temperatures.
When your roof cavity isn’t properly ventilated, heat becomes trapped during summer, and moisture builds up during winter. This makes your insulation less effective, puts strain on your HVAC systems, and makes it pretty uncomfortable no matter what season you’re in.
Having high-quality roofing ventilation helps in a lot of ways, including:
· Reducing how much heat builds up in summer. A well-ventilated roof allows hot air to escape from the ceiling cavity, keeping the temperature lower and reducing the need to constantly run your air conditioner.
· Prevents moisture and mould. During cooler months, warm indoor air rises and condenses in a cold roof space. Proper ventilation releases this moist air, protecting your insulation and timber framing from forming the ultimate enemy: mould (which is pretty common in Auckland).
· Improves your insulation. Because ventilation on a roof can help maintain consistent temperatures indoors, your insulation can actually work better.
Altogether, these benefits save you money in the long run by protecting your home from some pretty serious structural damage, not to mention bringing those energy bills down.
Other Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency
While installing ventilation on roof tops is our top suggestion for improving your home’s energy efficiency, there are a few other smart energy practices you can put in place to help the issue along. Here are some we can suggest:
· Install energy-efficient appliances: This can be as simple as updating all of your lightbulbs to be LEDs and using energy-rated white goods.
· Use thermal curtains or blinds: These help trap heat during winter and block solar gain in summer, working in conjunction with your roofing ventilation to keep everything comfortable.
· Switch to a smart HVAC system: Automated heating and cooling systems can adjust to your schedule, reducing unnecessary energy use.
By tackling multiple angles – roofing ventilation included – you create a comfortable, cost-efficient home that will keep you warm and dry throughout the entire year. And with Auckland’s weather? That’s saying something.
Get a roofing ventilation quote in just 24 hours with Solution Roofing.
Tired of watching your energy bills skyrocket? Bring them back down with roofing ventilation from Solution Roofing. We are Auckland’s trusted roofing and re-roofing specialists, time-tested and cost-effective without creating a massive disruption on your property.
Get in touch with the Solution Roofing team, and we’ll provide you with a free quote within 24 hours for installing ventilation on a roof.