As our summers get hotter, we need to look for cooling solutions that don’t add to the climate crisis. Precast concrete is very versatile and can be used for all sorts of different applications, including keeping your backyard cool during the summer months. Here’s how precast concrete fencing can help you beat the heat.
Summers in the U.S. Are Hotter Than Ever
Summers in the U.S. are hotter than ever before, and it is expected that this trend will continue in the future. This is due to many factors, including climate change, increased urbanization, and the effects of El Niño.
This trend can be seen in certain areas of the U.S., such as New York City and Minneapolis-Saint Paul which have seen a rise in temperature of over 2 degrees since 1970.
California has seen some of the hottest weather in its recent history. In recent years, many cities have set new records for high temperatures. It’s likely that these record-breaking temperatures will continue, leading to potential health risks for many people living in the state.
What Are the Impacts of Rising Temperatures
Rising temperatures are impacting the world in many ways. With increased temperatures, food production has been limited. It is now important to find innovative ways to produce food to feed an ever-growing population. Increased temperatures also lead to a decrease in labor productivity and can cause more heat related deaths.
With rising temperatures, we also see an increase in cooling costs and energy consumption. Air conditioners account for 7% of US energy usage and costs around $30 billion in residential energy bills. This results in 116 million metric tons of carbon dioxide being released each year.
Heat can be dangerous to human health. The effects of heat on the body range from dehydration and fatigue to sunburns and even death. Less detrimental, but still important, high heat is uncomfortable and makes being outside not fun.
How Precast Concrete Fences Help to Beat the Heat
Building designers, home and business owners, and builders can make outdoor spaces more comfortable by using precast concrete panels for fencing.
Precast concrete helps beat the heat by taking advantage of something called thermal mass. Thermal mass is a property that refers to how well an object can store and release heat.
Concrete has a high thermal mass and does not transmit heat well. As a result, it absorbs heat during the day and releases it back into the air at night. This means the backyard will be cooler. Have you ever felt a concrete wall and noticed that it feels pleasantly cool? A concrete fence means the cool from the night will be radiating off the fence for a good portion of the day.
As a bonus, at night when the temperatures cool, the precast concrete fence will radiate the heat of the day and provide a source of heat.
Plus, a precast concrete fence provides nice shade, since it is solid and thick, unlike a fence like wood or metal.
While a precast concrete fence won’t eliminate the heat in your backyard, it can make it a more pleasant place to relax.
American Precast Concrete
Contact our team at American Precast today to protect your home from next summer’s heat!