How You Can Help Fight Miami's Urban Heat Island Effect from Home

Most people agree that spring and summer are getting warmer. And some of that increased warmth is from the urban heat island effect. But what is the heat island effect? And what can you do about it?

Read on to learn how you can help fight Miami’s urban heat island from home.

What is the urban heat island effect?

The urban heat island effect is when an urban area experiences higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas.

What causes an urban heat island?

Two main factors cause an urban heat island. 

Roads, buildings, & pavements

The materials we use to pave our roads, create sidewalks, and construct buildings absorb and retain heat more than natural surfaces (like soil and vegetation).

This causes urban areas to give off more heat back into the atmosphere, causing a warmer city or urban climate.

Human activities

Cities and other urban areas have more humans and human activities happening that also generate heat. Activities like transportation, industry, and energy consumption to run buildings & homes all create heat that is put back into the atmosphere.

Also, the lack of a tree canopy to aid in the cooling down of these surface activities is another key factor to the heat island effect.

Does Miami have an urban heat island problem?

Yes, Miami does because of the city’s high density of buildings, roads, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat.

The urban heat island is also increased by Florida’s naturally warm and humid subtropical climate zone.

What are the effects of an urban heat island?

There are several impacts on us and the environment from the urban heat island effect.

Increased energy consumption: With higher temperatures comes an increased demand for AC and cooling. This all leads to an increase in energy, which creates more greenhouse gas emissions and higher utility bills.

Reduced air quality: The higher temperatures caused by the urban heat island can increase the concentration of air pollutants, which harms human health.

Stressed infrastructure: The heat puts increased stress on roads, bridges, and buildings. This leads to higher maintenance costs and a reduced lifespan of these systems.

Disrupted natural systems: The urban heat island effect disrupts the local water cycles. This affects vegetation growth, wildlife habitats, and the biodiversity & ecological health of the area.

Affected public health: Higher heat can lead to an increase in heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and dehydration. The elderly and children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

What can I do to help fight the urban heat island effect at home?

There is good news! There are several steps you can take to help fight the urban heat island in Miami or other urban areas by making some changes at home.

Install cool roofs or pavements: Cool roofs and pavements use reflective or light-colored materials to reflect sunlight and reduce the amount of heat absorbed by your home or paved areas around your home. All helping to lower the temperature inside your home.

Install green walls: A green wall is a vegetated or “living” wall that is covered by growing vegetation. These green walls can help insulate your home and reduce the heat absorbed by your walls.

Plant trees & vegetation: More trees and vegetation helps reduce the heat absorbed by buildings and pavements. Trees planted around your home can also provide shade, which will reduce the amount of sunlight that hits your home and lower the temperature inside. 

Use energy-efficient appliances: These types of appliances reduce the amount of heat generated by a home’s energy consumption. This lowers the temperature inside and helps reduce the urban heat island effect in your area.

Install shading devices: Blinds and awnings reduce the amount of direct sunlight that enters your home, helping reduce the temperature inside and lowering your energy costs.

What is a cool roof?

A cool roof is designed to reflect and absorb less heat than a standard roof. The materials used have a high solar reflectance and are made of materials with high thermal emittance. Meaning, they release any absorbed heat back into the atmosphere more efficiently.

A cool roof will help reduce the temperature in your home, lower your energy bills, and extend the lifespan of the roof because it decreases the amount of heat stress the roofing materials experience.

Can I add a cool roof to my existing roof?

Yes! Existing roofs can be retrofitted with cool roof materials. 

There are several options available for existing roofs: cool roof coatings, reflective roof membranes, and green roofs. 

Which one you choose will depend on your budget, desired level of energy efficiency, and your roof type.

Interested in having your roof fitted with cool roof materials?

Give M3 Roofing a call! 

Our team of roofologists can answer all of your questions about your roof, from what cool roofing materials work best for your needs to reroofs & inspections.

Send M3 Roofing a message or call the office – (305) 265-5000 – to set up an appointment today!

We service homes throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County.