For homeowners in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh, energy efficiency involves cost savings, property value, and protecting your home from long-term damage. While windows, insulation, and HVAC systems get plenty of attention, one of the most overlooked contributors to home energy performance is the roof. A poorly functioning or outdated roofing system can allow heat to escape during the winter, trap unwanted heat in the summer, and force your HVAC system to work overtime. This results in higher utility bills, inconsistent indoor temperatures, and a roof that wears out long before it should. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common signs your roof isn’t energy efficient, how to spot them, and what you can do to improve your home’s performance.
Roofing materials, attic ventilation, insulation, and installation all work together to regulate your home's temperature. An energy-efficient roof:
In North Hills, having a roof that regulates temperature and moisture is essential. Let’s dive into the signs that your roof isn’t energy efficient.
One of the first indicators of an inefficient roof is a spike in your heating or cooling costs. If your energy usage hasn’t changed significantly but your bills keep climbing, your roof may be allowing warm air to escape in the winter or letting too much heat in during the summer.
Why It Happens:
Poor insulation, degraded roofing materials, or insufficient ventilation allows your attic to act like a heat sink in summer or a drafty tunnel in winter.
Learn more in our blog: The Impact of Roofing on Home Value
If certain rooms in your home are consistently hotter or colder than the rest of the house, your roof could be to blame.
Possible Causes:
Improper roof insulation or blocked ventilation can cause heat to build up in upper areas, especially in summer. In winter, rising warm air may escape through the attic, leaving upstairs rooms colder.
A properly insulated and ventilated roof will keep your attic dry and temperature-stable. If your attic smells musty or shows signs of dampness, your roof’s inefficiency could be trapping humidity where it shouldn’t be.
What It Means:
Insufficient ventilation allows warm, moist air from your home to get trapped in the attic, which can damage insulation, roof decking, and even structural beams over time.
For prevention tips, read: Understanding Roof Ventilation in Cold Weather
While picturesque, ice dams are a serious sign that your roof isn’t managing temperature correctly. They form when heat from inside your home causes snow to melt and refreeze at the eaves, which is often due to inadequate insulation or ventilation.
Why It Matters:
Ice dams can damage shingles, trap moisture under your roofing system, and lead to interior water damage. All of this compromises your roof’s long-term performance and efficiency.
Want to avoid this issue? Check out: How to Prevent Ice Dams Before the First Snowfall
Aging roofs often lack the energy-efficient features common in modern roofing systems. If your roof is two decades old or older, it likely wasn’t designed with today’s insulation, ventilation, or energy standards in mind.
What to Evaluate:
What to Consider:
Roofing materials degrade over time. Asphalt shingles, in particular, lose their granules and reflectivity, which reduces solar deflection and increases heat absorption. A new, energy-efficient roof could significantly lower your bills and improve comfort.
Color and material matter more than most homeowners realize. Dark roofs absorb heat, while light-colored roofs reflect sunlight, making a huge difference in energy performance. Similarly, newer materials like reflective shingles or metal roofing offer greater insulation and heat reflection.
What to Consider:
Want to upgrade? Our team at M.A. Thompson Roofing can recommend materials tailored for Pittsburgh’s seasonal extremes and energy efficiency.
Ventilation problems are at the root of many roof efficiency issues. Without a way for fresh air to enter and warm, moist air to exit, your attic can become a major liability.
Check for:
What You Can Do:
A ventilation inspection from a local expert can identify airflow issues and recommend solutions that prevent energy loss and extend roof life.
If your energy bills are too high, your attic feels damp, or your rooms are unevenly heated, it may be time to take a closer look at your roof. Improving your roofing system’s energy efficiency is good for your home, your wallet, and the environment.
A properly maintained and ventilated roof can prevent winter damage, reduce your carbon footprint, and keep your home comfortable year-round.
M.A. Thompson Roofing is the trusted choice for North Hills homeowners who want a roof that does more than just shield them from the elements. We offer expert evaluations, personalized solutions, and honest recommendations.
Schedule your roof inspection today. Let us help you find hidden inefficiencies and boost your home's comfort and value.
M.A. Thompson Roofing – Quality. Experience. Community. Since 1976.
Contractor ID: PA187186
(412) 487-3337
Info@MATRoofing.com
3804 Gibsonia Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15044
