Lower your electricity bills by improving your roof

Did you know that about a third of the unwanted heat that builds up in a home enters your home through your roof? Simple improvements to your roof can minimize the amount of heat that builds up through your roof, lowering your electricity bills substantially. To lower the amount of heat that enters your home through your roof, you can:

• Apply a reflective coating to your existing roof. You can choose from two standard reflective roof coatings, a white latex coating or an asphalt-based coating that contains aluminum and glass particles. Both can be found at your local hardware shop.
• Install a radiant barrier on the underside of your roof. If installed correctly, a radiant barrier can reduce heat through the ceiling by 25 percent.

If you are interested in finding out more ways to save money on electricity, you should consult Cooling Your Home Naturally, a report prepared by the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse.