With triple digit temperatures outside, it can be hard to keep your house cool without cranking the air conditioner and driving your utility bills through the roof.

NBC News recently spoke to Lauren Urbanek, a senior program advocate, Center for Energy Efficiency Standards, Climate & Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council to learn tips for keeping cool.  Here are a few recommendations from her and some of our own when it comes to beating the heat.

Block the sun

Urbanek told NBC that it might seem simple, but your window coverings play an important role in keeping the sun’s heat at bay during the day. “If sun comes in through your windows it’s going to make your house warm. Using things like window coverings to their full advantage in the middle of the day [can] keep your house cooler by keeping that sunlight from coming in, particularly if you are gone during day, and in rooms that face west or south.” Urbanek recommended using thermal curtains that are designed to keep the light and the heat from coming through.

Consider an energy audit

She also told NBC News that hot air is coming from more than just the windows. All the cracks and gaps around your windows, door frames, etc. can add up to a lot of warm air intrusion. A good way to find out where your hot air is sneaking in is to check with your utility company. Many will provide a home energy audit and may have rebate programs in place should you make improvements.

Upgrade your thermostat

Programmable thermostats can offer a nice solution that allow you to raise the temperature when you are not home and cool it down prior to your arrival home from work or school. Wifi-enabled thermostats allow you to adjust your cooling system temperature right from your smart phone.

Insulation and ventilation

Have a properly insulated attic can keep the hot air from entering your home through the ceiling, but don’t forget about proper ventilation. It’s great to keep that hot air out of your home but it needs to be exhausted outside or can be very harmful to your home. We recommend and install the Attic Breeze solar fan to help your home stay cooler by exhausting the hot air out of your attic. Attic Breeze solar attic fans offer the perfect solution to this ventilation problem by continuously removing attic heat and moisture throughout the day and do so for absolutely no cost of operation.
If you want to learn more about this innovative cooling solution or need other roofing service in the Greater Austin area, we are happy to provide you with a free inspection. Request yours today.

Yes, your roof needs an annual checkup too!

It’s not very likely that you would wait 10 years between dentist appointments, is it? You shouldn’t wait years to give your roof a checkup either. At a minimum, your roof needs an annual inspection to ensure that it is in top-performing shape to protect your home from water intrusion.

With the Georgetown, Texas storm season on the way, now is the time to give your roof a thorough checkup and address any issues now, before the wind, hail and driving rain hits.
Here are some tips for giving your roof an annual inspection.
Exterior

• Perform your inspection from the ground, or through a window where portions of the roof might be visible. A pair of binoculars can help you spot areas in need of attention.
• Check gutters and keep them clear of fallen leaves, pine needles, twigs, etc.
•  Look for shingles that may be cracked or curling – especially along hip or ridge lines.
• Look at the collars around pipes – are they cracking or rotting?
• How do the downspouts look? Are they dented, damaged or rusted? Be sure that upper level downspouts are not draining onto a lower roof surface.

Interior

• Are there water spots anywhere on the ceilings or walls?
• Climb into the attic and inspect the underside of the roof deck for water stains, rotting or deterioration.

Remember that you should never get on the roof – leave that to an experienced, licensed roofing professional. Many times, you could end up causing more damage or injuring yourself.
At Texas Traditions Roofing, our dedicated repair division will perform a free inspection to identify any areas that need to be fixed, providing you with photos, a detailed explanation an estimate for repair. We perform roof inspections and repairs in the Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Waco, Lakeway, Temple, Bee Caves and more.
Request your free inspection today!

Your roof works hard every day to protect your home and over time that performance can be compromised by many factors.

1 – The sun. 
The heat from the sun and ultraviolet rays can lead to deterioration and may be even more of an issue on sides that face west or south.
2 – Wind and Rain.

High winds can lift shingle edges and force water and debris under them. When water gets underneath shingles, it can work its way to the roofing deck and lead to rotting of the deck.

3 – Flashing deterioration.
Many times, a roof leak is just a flashing leak. Flashings around chimneys, pipes and skylights that are breaking down and not tight can allow water to penetrate. These should be inspected annually,
4 – Trees and leaves.
Tree branches that are touching your shingles can cause granule loss or other damage to the roof when they are blown by the wind. Falling branches can also cause damage. Be sure your tree limbs are trimmed and not causing problems for your roof.
5 – Missing, cracked or torn shingles.
For a roof system to perform correctly it must be whole. Missing or torn shingles make your home vulnerable to water damage and rot. The problem will only spread to additional shingles if not repaired.
At Texas Traditions Roofing no repair is too large or too small. We’ll provide a free inspection, identify the issues and provide an estimate to fix the problem.
Request your free inspection.

Here are 5 tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

President George H.W. Bush proclaimed October to be Energy Awareness Month and in 2012, President Obama updated that proclamation to rename it Energy Action Month. He stated that this is a time when Americans are called up to work together, “to achieve greater energy security, a more robust economy, and a healthier environment for our children.”

What kind of home do you have? Is it as energy efficient as you think? Here are some things you can do to help your home perform better.
1 – Adequate attic insulation. This is especially important if your home is older. Your home was built to the codes and recommendations that were in place the year it was built. In more recent years, recommended insulation levels have increased. You may not have enough insulation in place. ENERGY STAR® recommends that most attics insulate to R-38, or about 10 – 14 inches, depending on the type of insulation. While checking the insulation, take a look at the openings for pipes, ductwork and chimneys to be sure any gaps are sealed.
2 – Proper attic ventilation. While it is important to be sure you have the right amount of insulation in your attic, it’s just as important to ensure that your attic is properly ventilated. Effective attic ventilation provides year-round benefits, creating cooler attics in the summer and drier attics in the winter. This leads top better performance of your roofing system as well.  Be sure to ask us how a solar-powered Attic Breeze attic fan can keep your attic properly ventilated without using electricity.
3 – Inspect heating and cooling equipment. If your equipment is more than 15 years old, it might be time to invest in an upgrade to a more efficient model. Check the filters in your furnace and be sure to replace any that are old or dirty.
4 – Check for air leaks. Walk around your home and look for gaps around doors and windows that can be sealed with weather stripping or caulk. Check your electrical boxes on exterior walls and ceilings. Consider adding an insulating pad to keep hot and cold air out. According to FamilyHandyman.com just a 1/8” gap around six electrical ceiling boxes is the equivalent of cutting a four-inch hole in your ceiling!
5 – Consider cool roofing. When it’s time to replace your roof, consider a cool roof shingle. These asphalt shingles contain a layer of highly reflective granules that reflect sunlight back off the roof and can prevent heat build-up. Cool roofs can help reduce energy use which, in turn, reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
At Texas Traditions Roofing, we’re happy to talk with you about energy-efficient roofing and ventilations solutions for your home. Schedule a free assessment today.