Planting trees and other vegetation lowers surface and air temperatures by providing shade and cooling through evapotranspiration. ... Cool (or reflective) roofs help to reflect sunlight and heat away from your home, reducing roof temperatures.
What is heat island reduction?
The “Heat Island Reduction” credit now encompasses both roof and nonroof measures but was previously divided into two credits, “Heat Island Effect – Roof” and “Heat Island Effect – Nonroof.” The intent is to minimize effects on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats by reducing heat islands .
Can we turn down the temperature on urban heat islands?
Ground-level vegetation doesn't necessarily reduce temperature — it's not that much cooler than asphalt — unless it's watered. Shandas also has found that increasing the difference in building heights in an area creates more air circulation, which has a cooling effect.
How can the temperature of a city be reduced?
Installing light shading structures over streets, pavements and roofs can reduce the surface temperature of materials, and reduce the heat absorbed and radiated back into streets. Shading structures need to be designed so that they do not limit airflow, trapping heat and air pollution in streets.
What causes heat islands?
Heat islands form as a result of several factors: Reduced Natural Landscapes in Urban Areas . Trees, vegetation, and water bodies tend to cool the air by providing shade, transpiring water from plant leaves, and evaporating surface water, respectively.
Why are urban heat islands bad?
Heat islands contribute to higher daytime temperatures, reduced nighttime cooling, and higher air-pollution levels . These, in turn, contribute to heat-related deaths and heat-related illnesses such as general discomfort, respiratory difficulties, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and non-fatal heat stroke.
What are a few heat island cooling strategies?
Many communities are taking action to reduce urban heat islands using five main strategies: 1) increasing tree and vegetative cover , 2) installing green roofs, 3) installing cool—mainly reflective—roofs, 4) using cool pavements (either reflective or permeable), and 5) utilizing smart growth practices.
How do you lower the air temperature?
- Switch to CFL or LED Bulbs. ...
- Hang Dry Clothes and Handwash Dishes. ...
- Limit Hot Meals. ...
- Invest in a Misting Fan. ...
- Shut Off Computers and Screens More Frequently. ...
- Switch to Insulated Curtains or Honeycomb Blinds. ...
- Create Natural Convection. ...
- Create a Cross Breeze.
Why are cities so hot?
Throughout the daytime, particularly when the skies are cloudless, urban surfaces are warmed by the absorption of solar radiation . Surfaces in the urban areas tend to warm faster than those of the surrounding rural areas. By virtue of their high heat capacities, urban surfaces act as a giant reservoir of heat energy.
Do Trees reduce temperature?
Trees and vegetation lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade and through evapotranspiration . ... Evapotranspiration, alone or in combination with shading, can help reduce peak summer temperatures by 2–9°F (1–5°C).
What are four things to reduce a heat island effect?
- Increase shade around your home. ...
- Install green roofs. ...
- Install cool roofs. ...
- Use energy-efficient appliances and equipment. ...
- Check on your friends, family, and neighbors.
Do buildings absorb heat?
The light is not converted into heat and the temperature of the white object does not increase noticeably. Thus, dark objects—such as building materials—absorb heat from the sun . ... Urban building materials are another reason that urban areas trap heat. Many modern building materials are impervious surfaces.
Why do we care about heat islands?
Why do we care about urban heat islands? Elevated temperatures with urban heat islands affect a community's quality of life and can adversely impact both natural and built environments .
Which air pollutant traps the most heat?
Greenhouse gases trap heat energy in the Earths atmosphere. (Usually, more of Earths heat escapes into space.) Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that has had the biggest effect on global warming.
Does urban heat island increase the use of air conditioning?
A consequence of urban heat islands in summer is an increase in the use of air conditioning in urbanized areas, which while cooling the insides of buildings, releases waste heat to the atmosphere. ... This is due to the shallower atmospheric boundary layer during the night.
How does urban heat island effect people?
Urban heat Islands (UHI) pose a serious threat to public health , particularly for children, the elderly, people with respiratory illnesses and those who work outdoors. Higher temperatures can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or heat stress and even death.
