The Ultimate Home Energy Efficiency Guide for Massachusetts Homeowners
Do you have an energy-efficient home? With ever-rising electricity costs, Massachusetts residents pay a fortune to heat their homes during our freezing winters and to cool them during our sweltering summers.
Why Energy Efficiency Matters for Homeowners
If you want to be comfortable all year long, without paying through the nose, upgrade the three elements that join forces to boost energy efficiency: the home’s siding, roof and increasingly popular solar PV panels. Golden Group Roofing and Solar is a top-rated contractor in all three, for an efficient process and superior results.
There’s good news and bad news.
First the bad news: On average, Massachusetts residents spend about $340 per month on electricity, adding up to $4,080 per year. That’s 45% higher than the national average. That’s 45% higher than the national average electric bill (Energy Sage).
Now the good news:Upgrading your roof, and siding, plus opting for solar panels, will increase long-term energy efficiency, resulting in lower electrical bills, less reliance on the grid, and shielding yourself from rising electric costs.
Roofing for an energy efficient Massachusetts home
A well-designed and properly installed roof is one of the best ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency. However, the roof itself can do it alone. It is supported by insulation, ventilation, and proper maintenance and repair. Let’s look at these elements.
Insulation
By upgrading insulation, your home may retain up to 80% of the cooling and heating that would have otherwise been lost. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that homeowners can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and insulating attics and floors over crawl spaces.
Ventilation
Ventilation helps regulate indoor temperature and humidity, improves air quality, and reduces damage caused by moisture, mold, and mildew. By improving ventilation, you can save 10% to 30% on energy costs, primarily by reducing the need for air conditioning and heating.
Energy-efficient roofing materials
90% of roofs in the US are built with dark, non-reflective materials that absorb heat, increasing energy usage. Choose reflective materials such as reflective shingles, light-colored or coated materials, and metal roofs. When using asphalt, tile, or slate, select high-quality products treated to increase reflectivity.
Roof inspections and maintenance
Energy efficiency takes a hit from worn roofing materials, damage, and leaks. The best advice is to schedule professional roof inspections once or twice a year, make timely repairs, and remove potential risks. In addition, a visual inspection will help spot these telltale signs of inefficiency:
- Missing, curled or damaged shingles
- A sagging roof
- Damaged gutters
- Leaks, condensation or water stains on ceilings or walls
Maximizing rooftop solar PV panels
Solar panels can perform well in Mass. weather. However, some homes are more suitable for solar panels than others. Your solar installer will assess your home and property to determine if solar is a good choice based on these and other factors
- Roof age and condition
- Roof orientation, slope, and pitch
- Available sunlight and shade
- Roof size, material, type, shape, and complexity
Should you choose to install solar panels, you’ll maximize the benefits with regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure the solar panels continue to perform at their best and provide energy savings.
Solar panels for an energy efficient home
The cost of solar products continues to go down. At the same time the federal income tax credit and generous Massachusetts financial incentives provide even greater long-term value.
You can increase savings even more with net metering in combination with the SMART program, where the excess energy your solar
system produces goes into the grid and the valued amount is credited directly to your electricity bill. If you install a solar system, on average, you’ll break even on your solar investment in an average of eight years in Mass.
An ideal combination for energy efficiency: roofing, solar, and siding
Optimizing energy efficiency is a priority for every homeowner, especially with our harsh winters and hot summers. We’ve gone over the most critical elements: A well-built roof (including insulation and venting), high-quality siding, and solar panels. Combining these elements as part of a comprehensive, home renovation project will create an efficient building process, be cost-effective, and produce the most energy-efficient results.
If you’ve done a big home project requiring different contractors in the past, you know how frustrating it is to coordinate the work. The ideal scenario is to find a reliable contractor with expertise in roofing, siding and solar. Golden Group Solar and Roofing is one of the few contractors offering this service. Work on all elements is carefully coordinated as one cohesive, integrated project.
The Financial benefits of improved energy efficiency
When you renovate with an eye toward efficiency, get the biggest bang for the buck by investing in roofing, siding, and solar. When considering going solar, remember that you can take advantage of decreasing costs coupled with significant financial incentives.
Combining these three elements will optimize your home’s energy efficiency, substantially reduce your electrical bills, and create outstanding long-term value, including stronger resale opportunities. If you’re planning to renovate, you can take advantage of decreasing solar panel costs, coupled with financial incentives.
