If you are like a lot of homeowners or house flippers concerned with sustainable energy or renovating your home with a clean energy source that will add value to your home and attract buyers, you have likely considered solar energy. However, in spite of the cost savings on utilities and the step this renewable energy source takes you toward being energy independent and off-grid, you still might wonder if the solar panels will positively or negatively impact your roof.
Summer and Winter Protection
During summer months, solar panels will actually help keep the covered portion of your roof cooler than other portions. For instance, according to research conducted by Dr. Jan Kleissl, the panels keep your home up to five degrees cooler in the summer than homes without panels. What is important is that according to the United States Department of Energy, each degree set on your thermostat equals approximately one percent of your overall energy bill. If you can lower or raise your thermostat five degrees and pay an average of $140 per month on heating or cooling, respectively, you can save, on average, a total of $84 per year.
Storm & Weather Protection
In addition to acting as shade for your roof, solar panels are notoriously sturdy. Because of their material and construction, they absorb, deflect, and protect your home against impact damage brought on by falling limbs. Of course, if a small or large tree falls on your roof, they cannot prevent damage to your roof, but for normal storms or the normal shedding of limbs that occurs in aging trees, they act like light roof armor. This type of protection helps in hail storms and protects against ice dams, which occur when melting ice shifts backward against your shingles. Finally, solar panels can protect your roof against the aging process caused by the sun. For instance, direct sunlight, over time, will make the shingles on your home much more brittle. Solar panels protect against this, helping to increase the lifespan of your roof.
Avoid Installation Damage
Solar panels are not typically considered a DIY project. Properly installed panels will protect your roof, but improperly installed panels can open up cracks in the shingles, which can lead to water or wind damage. In fact, if you are considering installing solar panels yourself based on something you watch on YouTube, you can actually void a warranty on panels as manufacturers often require panels to be installed by certified experts. Additionally, certified experts, such as our team at Cloud Roofing, have enough experience and training to anticipate and avoid problems.
DIY installation can lead to unexpected problems that later require an expert to fix, and this reactive process can sometimes be more expensive if a roof is damaged and requires repair. For instance, improperly installed lag bolts can lead to structural damage in your joists. Similarly, improperly sealed flashing can lead to leaking.
Trust Roof Experts for Solar Panel Guidance
At Cloud Roofing, we can help you understand roofing projects involving solar panels and the work that may go into such a project. Additionally, we understand the different steps each roof requires and can install a roof fit for a future solar upgrade. Simply put, our professional roofing company in San Antonio can ensure everything ends up working precisely as it should. Contact us for a free estimate.