Installing solar panels on your roof will make your home more energy efficient and reduce your power bills, but that is not the only way a roof can do these things. Instead of solar panels, another option a person could have would be to make the roof on their home a cool roof, with the “cool” in this instance referring to the actual temperature of the roof. A traditional roof, particularly in summer, traps heat and can reach temperatures of around 150 degrees Fahrenheit. As you might expect, that heat then comes into the home, causing your air conditioner to work overtime to try and combat it. Having a cool roof combats this phenomenon in a big way.
A cool roof is typically a lot lighter in color and made of materials that can reflect solar rays rather than absorb them. These roofs can redirect that heat elsewhere and not have it stick to your home as much, and on those particularly scorching summer days, that 150-degree number could be reduced by over 50 degrees, resulting in far less usage from your air conditioner.
Of course, if you plan to completely cover or entirely redo your roof, then perhaps it is worthwhile to make the change to solar panels. Having a cool roof still has its benefits, especially aesthetically if you like having a white or lightly-colored roof, but solar panels would be a more efficient long-term option.
