Harvesting rainwater from rooftops could cut the number of heatwave days and reduce air con reliance
Researchers from The University of Manchester have developed a system that uses harvested rooftop rainwater to cool buildings during heatwaves. By spraying water on roofs, the system reduces indoor temperatures and lowers the energy demand for air conditioning.
Why it matters
This innovation offers a sustainable, low-energy solution to urban heat islands and the rising energy costs associated with climate change.
Rooftop rainwater could be a secret weapon in tackling extreme heat, following Europe’s blistering summer.New research from The University of Manchester in the UK modelled a system that stores rainwater harvested from rooftops and automatically sprays it onto buildings during hot weather. The study, published in the science journal Earth’s Future, found that cooler roofs transferred less heat into buildings, lowering the demand for air conditioning and therefore cutting energy consumption usually needed for cooling. Less air con also means less heat waste would be released into the city.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in