The potential for green window shades for reducing the energy requirements for cooling during the summer are being evaluated, from June to August of 1996, on three windows of the Sir Daniel Wilson Residence of University College. The shading potential of three different plants will be assessed through assessments of the shading coefficient and infrared measurements.
Large cities produce an urban heat island effect.
Thus urban heat islands also have indirect affects on health as well as on energy. 1. building mass, 2. increased surface roughness, 3. loss of evapotranspiration due to a reduction in vegetation, 4. lowered albedo of surfaces allowing more energy to be absorbed and reradiated as long-wave radiation, and 5. In combination with lighter coloured surfaces, it is possible to cool the core areas of the city because exposed concrete conducts and holds heat, reradiates incoming solar radiation, and reradiates the heat from air conditioners between walls and buildings. Reducing the urban heat island will lower the demand for energy directed towards cooling, the use of air conditioning thereby reducing emissions due to energy consumption. The urban heat island phenomenon, pp.