Cool Roofs in NYC

A bird’s eye view of one of the loveliest cities on earth

May, 2017

About Cool Roofs: Source: http://www.nyc.gov/html/gbee/html/initiatives/coolroofs.shtml

NYC °CoolRoofs
NYC °CoolRoofs, an NYC Service initiative, is a collaboration between the NYC Department of Buildings and NYC Service to promote and facilitate the cooling of New York City’s rooftops. Working with non-profits, City agencies, and building owners, NYC °CoolRoofs engages volunteers in applying white, reflective surfaces to rooftops, which reduces cooling costs, cuts energy usage, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

How It Works
The coating used on the rooftops is highly reflective and quickly releases heat, which results in reduced absorption of solar heat leading to cooler buildings. Temperatures within the building can be reduced by up to 30 percent, cutting cooling-related electricity costs in warmer months. By regulating rooftop temperatures, the coating also helps to extend the life of rooftops as well as cooling equipment. In addition to the immediate benefits for the coated buildings, white rooftops reduce temperature in the surrounding areas and combat the Urban Heat Island Effect-the warming effect experienced in cities when paved areas prevent evaporative cooling processes, and dark surfaces, such as asphalt, absorb solar heat, increasing average ambient temperatures by up to five degrees. Coating all eligible rooftops in New York City could mitigate this effect by up to one degree.

Link: Documentation of the analysis is available here