A roofing expert has revealed how your neighbour’s roof condition could be secretly driving up your energy costs, particularly in attached and semi-detached homes.
UK households have been warned their neighbours’ roof may be adding to their energy bills. A roofing expert has revealed how your neighbour’s roof condition could be secretly driving up your energy costs, particularly in attached and semi-detached homes.
Issues include poor insulation in shared structures, solar panel shading, roof colour affecting heat reflection, and maintenance problems causing drainage issues.
An expert has provided practical solutions including boosting insulation, installing reflective barriers, and improving ventilation to combat these costly problems.
READ MORE Mortgage warning for UK households as they risk being ‘squeezed’
Jeff Berzolla, CEO of Instant Roofer, said: “Most people assume their energy bills are entirely within their control, but in attached homes, your neighbour’s roofing decisions can have a direct impact on your heating and cooling costs.
“We’ve analysed over 129 million homes, and the data shows clear patterns of how neighbouring properties influence each other’s energy performance.”
“Think of it like trying to heat a house with the windows open,” says Berzolla. “When there’s inadequate insulation next door, your warm air finds a way to escape through connected spaces. Your boiler doesn’t know the difference – it just knows it needs to work harder to maintain your target temperature.”
A poorly maintained roof next door creates problems that seep into your property – literally. Loose tiles, moss buildup, and clogged gutters not only affect the immediate property, but can also compromise shared drainage systems and increase humidity levels across connected homes.
“We see this constantly in our assessments,” notes Berzolla. “When gutters overflow or drainage fails on one property, it affects the whole row. Excess moisture forces dehumidifiers to run constantly and makes heating systems work harder to maintain comfortable conditions.”
Blocked gutters can also cause water to back up into shared roof spaces, leading to damp problems that require additional heating to combat the chill factor of moisture in the air.
Berzolla, CEO of Instant Roofer, commented: “The good news is that homeowners aren’t powerless against these neighbouring roof issues. Start by boosting your own insulation, particularly in shared wall cavities and loft spaces. This creates a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer regardless of what’s happening next door. Installing reflective barriers in your roof space can help deflect unwanted heat in summer and retain warmth in winter.
“For solar panel owners experiencing shading issues, consider smart shading solutions or panel optimisers that minimise the impact of partial shade. Improving your own ventilation system can also help combat humidity problems caused by poor drainage next door. If you’re planning any roof work, choose colours strategically – lighter shades for hot climates, darker for cooler areas.
“Most importantly, maintain open communication with neighbours about shared roof maintenance. A collaborative approach to gutter cleaning and drainage upkeep benefits everyone’s energy bills.”
Read more here: Click Here
