If you noticed that the snow is melting off your roof very quickly, it’s likely that your home is losing heat. This happens because your attic isn’t air-sealed or insulated properly. You’ll want to get a home energy audit in order to figure out a plan that will save you money on utility costs and keep your home more comfortable.
Why is Snow Melting From My Roof?
There are a few reasons why this might be happening. One possibility is that your attic isn’t well-insulated, which means that heat from your home is escaping into the attic and melting the snow on the roof. Another possibility is that your roof ventilation isn’t adequate, which can cause heat to build up under the roof and melt the snow.
If you’re not sure what’s causing the problem, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot. First, take a look at your attic insulation and make sure it’s adequate. If it’s not, you may need to add more insulation. Second, check your roof ventilation and make sure it’s working properly. If it’s not, you may need to add more vents or modify the existing ones.
What percentage of heat is lost through the roof?
The exact amount varies based on the size and geographical location of your home, and if your attic is properly sealed and insulated. Since hot air rises, it’s likely that you’re losing more energy in the winter with heat than in the summer with air conditioning. You could be losing as much as 30-50% of your home’s heating energy through the roof. [source]
How can heat loss be reduced through the roof?
The first step is air-sealing your attic. This ensures that [unprocessed] air isn’t blowing through your attic. The second step is to add insulation. This will prevent the conditioned air that’s warming or cooling your home from escaping to the attic, and then warming up the roof deck. You could save an enormous amount of money each year by putting a halt to heating and cooling your attic.
What are the signs of heat loss through the roof?
The best way to see if you’re experiencing heat loss through the roof of your home is to look at your roof on a cold morning, during or after a snowstorm. On a cold morning, take a look at your roof and see if there is frost on parts of the roof (like over the garage) but not on other areas of the home. That is a strong sign that you’re losing heat throughout your home. If the frost or snow appears to be evenly distributed on your home, take a look at your neighbors’ roofs and see if they have more or less than yours. If they have snow on their roof and you have none, you might want to get your attic checked for air sealing and insulation.
Why is my Snow Melting Quickly from my Deck?
The science behind why your deck is melting the snow isn’t as complicated as you might think. In fact, there are three primary reasons why this happens: 1) the sun; 2) the heat from your house, and 3) the wind. Let’s take a closer look at each of these reasons so that you can be better prepared for this year.
- The Sun: Even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays can penetrate through the clouds and cause the snow to start melting. On sunny days, the effect is even more pronounced. If you have a south-facing deck, this is likely the primary reason why your snow is melting so quickly.
- The Heat from Your House: Believe it or not, the heat emanating from your house can also cause the snow on your deck to start melting. This is most likely to happen if your deck is located close to an exhaust vent (e.g., from a dryer or furnace).
- The Wind: While it might not seem like it, winds of even 10 mph can cause snow to start melting, especially if the air temperature is above freezing. If you live in an area that is particularly windy, this could be the reason why your deck snow is disappearing so quickly!
Conclusion
You might be paying more for energy and comfort than you need to. Take a look at the roof of your home during a cold morning or shortly after a snowstorm to determine if your property is losing heat through the roof. An easy fix is to schedule a home energy audit because we can craft a plan that includes all of the right rebates for you. If you have any questions, please give us a call.