Why Top-Floor Apartments Can Be 8°C Hotter Than Lower Floors During Summer — And How To Fix It
Discover why top-floor apartments can be up to 8°C hotter in summer and learn practical tips to reduce indoor heat and stay comfortable.
Heat rising is a common occurrence in many buildings; therefore, apartments that reside at the highest points of the building, such as top floor apartments, normally feel extremely hot compared to other floors below. The internal air temperature of a top floor apartment may exceed the lower floors by several degrees, causing residents to be uncomfortable regardless of whether a fan is turned on or not.
The primary factor contributing to this problem is the amount of heat absorbed by the exterior surfaces of a building; roofs and roof materials absorb heat during the daytime due to solar exposure. Both concrete and metal surfaces heat up when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, when the exterior surfaces heat up, they transfer heat through to the apartments directly below and raise the apartment’s interior air temperature.
How to Reduce Heat in a Top-Floor Apartment
There are many inexpensive and/or low-cost ways to lower air temperature inside your top-floor residence.
Block Sunlight
Blackout/black-out curtains, reflective blinds, sun control window films will help block sun rays from warming your indoor living space.
Increase Airflow / Ventilation
Open your windows at night and/or early morning to allow cool air to circulate through your home.
Cool Your Roof
Use reflective coatings, white paint, shading systems to cool your roof if you can, which will help to significantly reduce the amount of heat absorbed by your home.
Reduce Heat Sources
Turn off televisions/computers, and don’t cook during the hottest part of the day.
Add Plants to Your Home
Plants will assist in keeping your home more comfortable and also assist in lessening the feeling of heat.
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Final Words
Due to the heating of the roof on the top floor, there is an increase in temperature on the top floor apartments over summer months. Other than improving ventilation, increasing shading of the roof, and reducing the heat stored by the roof surface, these are essential to achieving a comfortable and energy efficient home since extreme heat events are more frequent now.
FAQs
Is a top-floor apartment generally hotter than others?
Yes, because of the heat from sunlight striking the top of the roof and absorbing into the roof, where it is stored during the day.
Can your apartment’s indoor temperatures be reduced by using roof coatings?
Yes, using reflective or cool-roof coatings to insulate against heat absorption in this situation will help reduce indoor temperatures.
Do blackout curtains block sunlight and keep your apartment cooler?
Yes, using blackout curtains will create shade inside from the sun’s rays hitting through the windows.
Why does my apartment feel hotter at night?
At night, when your apartment stops receiving sunlight exposure, it will still get warmer due to the amount of heat that has been built up in the roof and then weakening of the insulation from the heat that accumulated during the day.
