Can a New Roof Reduce My Energy Bills?

The cost of energy is high on almost everyone’s list of worries right now, with the price cap set to move on October 1st 2022 from £1,971 per year to a predicted £3,576. This is a huge jump and experts say that more increases could follow in 2023. 

With this in mind, we wanted to explore the question of whether a new roof can help to reduce energy bills right now. 

Of course, every little helps, but with prices rising so quickly, people are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency throughout the home with an eye on the long-term future. So let’s first understand the role your roof plays in the heating of your home.

How much heat is lost through the roof?

According to the UK’s Energy Saving Trust, an independent organisation looking at the issues surrounding energy and the climate, many homes could be losing roughly 25% of their heating through an uninsulated roof space. 

That’s a massive amount of energy going to waste, and it starts with a process known as convection. This is where heat rises from a variety of sources, but add in the conduction of that heat through the materials used in the construction of your ceiling into your roof, as well as through your roof into the outside air, and you’ve got significant heat loss. 

As you can probably tell, it’s not just the lining across the floor of your loft space that can help to reduce this. Let’s take a look at how the roof itself can play a part.

Will a new roof lower my heating bills?

The short answer to this question is yes, a new roof can help to lower your energy bills. Here are just some of the reasons why:

• Improved insulation – As we just mentioned, it’s not just loft flooring insulation you need, as you can also add insulation to the inside of the roof itself. You can also get materials that are better at reducing heat transfer to the outside in the general construction when compared with materials from decades gone by.
• Improved ventilation – While seemingly counterintuitive during winter, adequate ventilation during the summer is just as vital, preventing your loft space from cooking and thereby warping wood and other materials.
• Roof colour – You may already be aware that black is a colour that absorbs heat (think of how hot black tarmac is on a sunny day!), so if you opt for a darker roof tile, you can benefit from some heat transfer from the outside to the inside of your roof.

Overall, a new roof will implement modern construction techniques and materials. Over time, any roof will naturally degrade, with gaps appearing or damage being sustained without you realising. Eventually, all roofs require replacement or maintenance to ensure they can stand up to the test, improving how well they retain heat when you really need it.

How else can I make my roof more energy efficient?

There are a few other ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your roof, aside from having a new roof installed. These include:

• Roof maintenance – regular maintenance and repairs will help spot defects and damage that can be rectified to maintain a robust barrier against the cold and damp.
• Solar panels – If you’re thinking long-term, solar panels could help to lower some of your energy bills. You’ll get the most out of them if you have a south-facing roof at a 30-degree pitch, but most people can benefit regardless of this because of how far the technology has come.
• Loft lighting – If you have lights installed in your loft, try replacing them with energy-efficient bulbs to save a few pennies.
• Windows – Where you’ve converted your loft space into either a storage room or a more functional living space, the windows are a chance to make sure you’re being as energy efficient as possible. Get the best rated glazing and ensure the windows are fitted by experts, along with expert skylight flashing, to ensure no gaps are created in your roof.

 

If improving energy efficiency and lowering your energy bills are high on your agenda, talk to our expert team about re-roofing and new roofs. We’ve helped countless homeowners across North West London – including Watford, Hampstead and Highgate – by implementing the latest materials and techniques to build their roofs with these goals in mind. Plus, all our new roofs come with a 10-year guarantee for your peace of mind.

Call today to discuss any issues you have with your roof and our friendly team will be happy to help you — we can even offer a free, no-obligation quote.