The Urban Heat Island Mitigation initiative seeks to develop tools to reduce the urban heat island effect among urban residential and commercial properties. This research effort primarily involves the development of two tools, a low cost infrared scattering elastomeric cool roof coating and a lightweight green roof system for residential and sloped roofs. Long term research efforts will employ the use of ASTER satellite thermal imaging (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) to determine the impacts of cool roof coatings and green roofs.

The urban heat island effect is the heating of urban areas and change in climate due to buildings, roads, and lack of vegetation. According to the EPA, the heat island effect can cause a 1.8 - 5.4ºF increase in temperature in cities and as much as a 22ºF difference in the evening. Heat islands contribute to increased peak energy demand, increased heat related health problems and mortality, higher air conditioning costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and poor water quality.

As the Drexel Smart House is located in the center of the Philadelphia Metropolitan region, it's location makes it the ideal test bed for heat island mitigation strategies. The Drexel Smart House is committed to researching the Heat Island Effect in the Philadelphia region extensively, and whenever possible, make recommendations to local government to foster a sustainable future and reduction in urban temperatures. In addition to the Smart House at 3425 Race St, DSH influences the decisions of many local property owners in the neighborhood, the Drexel Community, and the greater Philadelphia region.

More Information:

Smart House Links    

Cool Roof Coatings
Green Roofs

Other Resources     

Heat Island Effect | U.S. EPA
NASA/Japan ASTER Science Group