Lower Your Cooling Bill by Installing Foil Under the Roof

Summer means high temperatures outside and the battle to keep it cool on the inside. Proper windows, attic fans, and a well-maintained air conditioner can help a little, but there are certainly other steps, some expensive, some not, that can help you reduce the amount you pay to cool the house.

When the sun is beating down, it beats the hardest on your roof. Dark colored roofing tiles can reach 150 degrees on an average summer day, and that means extra cooling costs for you. Radiant heat transfers from the roof to the ceiling below, raising the temperature in the room, and causing you to lower the thermostat setting. The lower your thermostat, the higher your bill.

Regular fiberglass insulation is what’s normally used in most homes for blocking heat and cold. The fiberglass is effective to some extent but not when it comes to preventing the transfer of very high temperatures, from roof to ceiling area. In truth, the insulation can trap heat, holding it in the ceiling for long periods of time.

Install reflective foil underneath the roof and you’ll be surprised at how cool your home will stay. The foil blocks the direct path from the roof to the ceiling. Attic ventilation is also a necessary part of keeping the house cool and cutting down cooling expenses. The ventilation will cool the roof and carry away some of the heat that gets trapped.

Installing the reflective foil can immediately lower upper room temperatures by 10 degrees or more. That’s without any adjustment to the thermostat settings. You’ll find the reflective foil at any home improvement store but it’s cheapest before the summer months.