COOL METAL ROOFING - URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
About half of the North American population lives in urban areas. The prevalent use of energy absorbing, dark building materials and dark pavements, coupled with a lack of vegetation, creates a microclimate where ambient temperatures are higher than in the surrounding areas. For some cities, this urban heat island effect can increase the local temperature as much as 12° F (7° C) (as shown in illustration).
Cool metal roofing is one way to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Roofs with higher reflectance have lower surface temperatures, which help reduce ambient air temperatures. This improves air quality since less smog is formed. Also, air pollution associated with burning fossil fuels at utility plants is reduced because of less peak load demand.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory research has shown that metal roofing retains solar reflectance over time better than other roofing products because it resists the growth of organic matter and sheds dirt more readily than other materials.
http://www.coolmetalroofing.org
| Overview | Urban Heat Island Effect | Facts and Benefits | Glossary | Cool Metal Roofing Data Sheet |
About half of the North American population lives in urban areas. The prevalent use of energy absorbing, dark building materials and dark pavements, coupled with a lack of vegetation, creates a microclimate where ambient temperatures are higher than in the surrounding areas. For some cities, this urban heat island effect can increase the local temperature as much as 12° F (7° C) (as shown in illustration).Cool metal roofing is one way to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Roofs with higher reflectance have lower surface temperatures, which help reduce ambient air temperatures. This improves air quality since less smog is formed. Also, air pollution associated with burning fossil fuels at utility plants is reduced because of less peak load demand.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory research has shown that metal roofing retains solar reflectance over time better than other roofing products because it resists the growth of organic matter and sheds dirt more readily than other materials.
http://www.coolmetalroofing.org
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