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Cool Streets and Surfaces

In working to help improve the climate resilience of Los Angeles with easy, common-sense policies to better our city, we launched a “Cool Roofs” campaign in 2012.


What are cool surfaces?


Since 2014, all new residential construction and many major renovations have been required to install a cool roof. Cool roofs are compatible with other innovative, money-saving technologies, including solar panels and water catchment systems. Additionally, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers up to a $.30 per sq. ft. rebate for residential roofs. This rebate was expanded to include more roofs types and applicable products in the City of Los Angeles. Find more from the “Building Products” section of LADWP’s Consumer Rebate Program page.

The Program

A first step was bringing together dozens of experts, scientists, and leaders from across the country who are making great strides towards creating affordable climate solutions. At our March 2013 “Hot City, Cool Roofs” Conference, we were joined by then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in planning next steps for how cool roofs can improve Los Angeles today, tomorrow, and over the next century.

Climate Resolve and the participants of the conference identified a key takeaway from the conference: passing a law that to require all new and refurbished homes to have a cool roof. In December 2013, Los Angeles became the first large city to pass such a law, which was unanimously approved by LA City Council. “Keeping temperatures down on extreme heat days will protect lives; energy efficiency will save millions of dollars; and cool roofs will help Los Angeles combat global climate change at the local level,” said Climate Resolve’s Executive Director Jonathan Parfrey after the bill passed.

Worker applying reflective coating to a rooftop surface with a roller, demonstrating cool roof technology to reduce heat absorption

HOW IT WORKS
Crew applying cool pavement coating on a residential street using rollers and equipment, creating a reflective surface to reduce heat and improve urban climate resilience

Cool Surfaces

With reflective coatings on roofs, pavements, parking lots, playgrounds — provide enormous relief from the heat. We can all feel the difference in temperature between a tree-lined street and a barren stretch of wide sidewalk. Concrete, asphalt, and most roofs capture the sun’s energy, holding it and slowly radiating heat back out. These kinds of surfaces contribute to the urban heat island effect.

Diagram comparing warm roof and cool roof showing warm roof reflecting 20 percent of sunlight and cool roof reflecting 80 percent, illustrating reduced heat absorption with cool roofs

Cool Roofs

While most standard roofs absorb the sun’s radiant energy into the building — transferring it as heat — cool roofs reflects the sunlight to keep buildings cooler. Made from a variety of materials, cool roofs can be applied to new and existing roof surfaces on houses, garages, and commercial buildings. With a cool roof, the surface can be more than 50°F cooler during a hot summer day — cooling the interior of a building by several degrees Fahrenheit. The benefits: More comfort, and fewer chances of heat-related injuries or deaths. Even homes and other buildings without air-conditioning will stay cooler on the hotter days.

Brochures

English

Infographic explaining the benefits of cool surfaces, including reduced heat, energy savings, and improved comfort, with a call to action to sign up and learn more, plus an image of cool pavement being applied on a neighborhood street.
Infografía en español que explica el efecto de isla de calor urbana en Los Ángeles, el concepto de albedo y cómo las superficies frescas—como pavimentos, techos y murales reflectantes—pueden reducir temperaturas y mejorar las comunidades.

Español

Infografía en español sobre “Superficies Frescas” que explica beneficios como reducción del calor urbano, ahorro de energía y mejora de la salud, incluye preguntas frecuentes y una invitación a participar con enlace a climateresolve.org/take-action, junto a una imagen de aplicación de pavimento frío en la calle.