The urban heat island effect is created by impervious surfaces, such as roads, parking lots, and buildings, which retain heat from the sun’s radiation. At night, these surfaces release the retained heat, creating a localized area of higher temperatures. Localized “hot-spots’ combine to create a dome of hot air over a metropolitan area.
Impervious surfaces causing increased heat values:
- Dark roofing material
- Parking lots
- High concentration of buildings
- Lack of tree canopy
The phenomenon impacts energy use, particularly in the summer months, when air conditioners forced to run more often, and for longer periods of time due to the increased air temperatures.
Use OKI’s Urban Heat Island Map tool to map areas most impacted by the urban heat island effect.