Many people’s problem roofs An example of buildings found in cities (also in isolated houses) is: they trap a lot of heatturns the house into a real stove in the middle of summer. This is one of the factors that cause the ‘ event.heat island effect‘ In cities, the temperature in the city center is several degrees higher than in the countryside. But there is a way to eliminate this heat source, and this is the so-called ‘cold roofs’.
Although it is a technology that has been available for years, with the full effect of global warming, it is now beginning to be the focus of attention of architects, urbanists and planners. And it is a powerful weapon against climate change.
Dark ceilings not only reflect but absorb sunlight This means that the roof does not lose its heat during the night, but rather retains the heat, making it difficult for the residents to fall asleep.
Dark ceilings have the following disadvantages:
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More energy consumption for cooling and higher electricity bills;
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Reducing interior comfort;
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Roofing materials deteriorate rapidly, the cost of roof maintenance increases, and large amounts of roofing debris end up in public landfills.
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Increased demand for maximum electricity due to the need to use air conditioning or similar systems.
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As a result of the above, more CO2 emissions into the atmosphere occur.
historically, cool ceilings are light colored or directly white. However, in recent years, products that preserve the cold ceiling properties, albeit in dark tones, have also been developed.
The cold ceiling is first and foremost a system. offers higher sun reflection (the sun’s ability to reflect visible, infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths, the ability to reduce heat transfer to the building) and higher thermal dissipation (ability to radiate absorbed or non-reflected solar energy) than conventional roofs.
Advantages of a cold roof
According to various studies, A cold roof can lower the building’s interior temperature between 2°C and 7°C.This makes a significant difference.
A 2010 study by Berkeley Laboratory based on NASA data,Refrigerated ceilings offer the following advantages:
· Cooler outside air: They lower the temperature of the city air, thereby softening the ‘heat island’ effect of the city as a whole.
Less emissions from power plants: Reduce electrical energy demand for air conditioning and other cooling systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Better air quality: They help stop the formation of ozone in the soil.
Slowing climate change: Less heat is absorbed at the Earth’s surface.
Energy and cost savings: Electricity bill is reduced to cool buildings in summer.
Some companies already sell dark, cool roofing materials that reflect up to 25% of solar energy, or twice as much as traditional roof tiles.
Experts underline this need public administrations are forcing construction companies to apply cold roofs by default in all cities, especially in the areas of Spain most exposed to extreme heat. Traditionally, buildings in many parts of the south and east, such as Andalusia, the Commonwealth of Valencia or the Balearic Islands, have been painted white and roofs using climate-neutral materials. However, these practices have been abandoned, widespread belief has been cornered, and modern materials are hurting the population by showing their weakness.
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Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]