Can Solar Reflective Roof Shingles Unlock Energy Savings for Your Home?

Solar reflective shingles, also known as cool roofs, are an increasingly popular topic due in part to growing concern about climate change and rising HVAC costs. As a homeowner with rising expenses of your own, you’re likely interested in reducing these utility costs. So, how about installing solar reflective shingles of your own? Do they make sense for your home? Will they pay off in the long run? While solar reflective shingles can be an energy efficient choice for some, their benefits vary depending on your climate.

In the right weather conditions, solar reflective shingles can help keep your roof cooler, which can help lower energy bills and potentially decrease CO₂ emissions from air conditioning. In fact, some local and state governments have enacted building codes that require roofing materials to pass tests to show they help improve energy efficiency in their areas. One of the ways to meet these building codes is by having a roof that meets their standards for Solar Reflectance Index (SRI). While these codes are a requirement in some areas, in others they are incentivized through rebates and tax credits.