Maximize your investment in a new roof or roof repair by paying attention to these three elements of an energy-efficient roof that can significantly lower your energy bills, not to mention extend the roof’s lifespan.

For many of us, our attitude toward the roof is pretty much “out of sight, out of mind.” It’s only when something big happens—say, a storm causes damage, or a home inspection uncovers previously hidden problems—do we pay the roof the attention it deserves. But even in the absence of a crisis, the roof deserves a closer look, particularly because a roof offers great potential for conserving energy and, in turn, holding down utility bills. Are you taking advantage of all the ways in which your roof can save you money? Any number of issues can contribute to high cooling and heating costs, but you can start bringing those costs down by installing a new roof or repairing an existing one, keeping in mind the three important factors outlined below.

Insulation

The best time to address a roof’s efficiency is during a reroofing project. But as roofs cost many thousands of dollars in materials and labor, homeowners often put off replacement until it’s absolutely necessary. If, however, you’re just not ready to spring for new shingles, you may still be able to improve the energy health of your existing roof by upgrading your attic’s insulation.

Ventilation

It may seem counterproductive to go to the trouble of improving attic insulation only to then add vents that admit outside air into the attic, but fresh air plays a vital role in roof health. While insulation serves as a thermal barrier between the living space and the roof, the attic itself can become extremely hot during summer months. Without some sort of ventilation, excessive attic heat can warp roof decking and shorten the useful life of the shingles. It can even pass through the insulation to the rest of the house, forcing your air-conditioning system to work harder.

Intake vents, which draw fresh air into the attic, are placed along the lowest points of the roof, often in the soffit beneath the eaves. When paired with exhaust vents, which are positioned higher on the roof, a natural airflow circulation process occurs. Cool air enters the intake vents, warms, and then rises to the top of the attic, where it exits through the exhaust vents. This natural process keeps extreme heat from building up in the attic.

Shingle Color

If you’ve ever put your hand on a black car that’s been sitting in the sun on a hot day, you know how blistering hot its surface can become. A similar thing happens to dark roofs—they absorb more heat from the sun than light-colored roofs, and as a result, more heat is transferred to the underside of the roof deck and to the attic below.