Heat Risk Assessment
Understand urban heat island effects, extreme temperatures, and heat wave exposure for your property
Check Heat Risk for Your Address
What is Heat Risk?
Heat risk measures exposure to extreme temperatures, urban heat island effects, and heat wave frequency. As climate change intensifies, heat is becoming the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, killing more people annually than hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods combined.
Urban Heat Island Effect
Urban areas can be 15-20°F hotter than surrounding rural areas due to dark pavement, buildings, and lack of vegetation. Downtown cores experience the most severe heat islands, while tree-lined residential neighborhoods stay cooler. This temperature difference significantly affects comfort, health, and energy costs.
Key Heat Risk Factors
- Baseline temperature: Regional climate and typical summer highs
- Heat wave frequency: Number of days above 95°F or 100°F annually
- Urban heat islands: Concentrated heat in developed areas with limited vegetation
- Humidity levels: High humidity makes heat more dangerous (heat index)
- Tree canopy: Shade coverage reduces surface and air temperatures
- Building density: Tall buildings trap heat and block cooling breezes
Why Heat Risk Matters for Homeowners
- Energy costs: Cooling expenses can reach $300-$500 monthly in extreme heat
- Health impacts: Heat stroke, dehydration, and respiratory problems increase
- Property comfort: Unbearable heat reduces quality of life and outdoor usability
- Infrastructure stress: Power grids struggle during heat waves, causing blackouts
- Property values: Extreme heat zones may see declining home values as climate worsens
- Livability: Cities like Phoenix may become uninhabitable during summer months
Heat Risk Zones in the US
Extreme Heat Zones
Areas experiencing 100+ days above 95°F annually, with intense urban heat islands
Examples: Phoenix AZ, Las Vegas NV, Palm Springs CA, parts of Texas and Arizona desert cities
Risk: Very High - Life-threatening summer conditions, extreme energy costs
High Heat Zones
Frequent heat waves, 30-100 days above 95°F, growing urban heat island effects
Examples: Southern California inland, Texas metro areas, Florida, Atlanta, Southern states
Risk: High - Significant cooling costs, heat stress events
Moderate Heat Zones
Occasional heat waves, 10-30 days above 90°F, manageable urban heat islands
Examples: Mid-Atlantic states, Midwest cities, parts of California coast
Risk: Moderate - Periodic discomfort, rising cooling needs
Low Heat Zones
Rare extreme heat, fewer than 10 days above 85°F, mild summers
Examples: Pacific Northwest, Northern states, mountain regions, Alaska
Risk: Low - Comfortable summers, minimal cooling needed (though this is changing)
Heat Mitigation Strategies
Reduce indoor temperatures, lower energy costs, and improve comfort
Install Reflective Roofing
Cool roofs with high solar reflectance reduce surface temperatures by 50-60°F.
$5,000 - $15,000
10-30% cooling costs
Very High
Plant Shade Trees
Strategic tree placement provides natural cooling and reduces air conditioning needs.
$500 - $3,000
15-25% cooling costs
High
Improve Insulation
Enhanced insulation keeps heat out in summer and warmth in during winter.
$2,000 - $8,000
20-30% overall energy
High
Install Window Films
Reflective or tinted films block solar heat gain through windows.
$500 - $2,000
5-15% cooling costs
Medium
Upgrade to Efficient HVAC
High-efficiency air conditioning systems use less energy and cool more effectively.
$5,000 - $12,000
20-40% cooling costs
Very High
Add Exterior Shading
Awnings, pergolas, and shutters block direct sunlight before it enters the home.
$1,000 - $5,000
10-20% cooling costs
Medium
Tax Incentives: The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits up to $3,200 for heat pumps, insulation, and energy-efficient windows that reduce cooling costs. Many utilities also offer rebates for cool roofs and shade trees.
Heat Risk Tips for Homebuyers
1. Visit During Peak Heat Hours
Tour properties between 2-5pm on hot days to experience actual conditions. Check if rooms stay cool, assess shade coverage, and evaluate AC performance.
2. Request Past Utility Bills
Ask sellers for summer electricity bills to estimate cooling costs. Bills over $300/month may indicate poor insulation or inefficient systems.
3. Prioritize Tree Coverage
Mature trees on west and south sides of the home provide natural cooling worth $200-400 annually in reduced energy costs. Trees also increase property values by 5-10%.
4. Inspect HVAC System Age
AC units over 15 years old are inefficient and likely to fail soon. Budget $5,000-$12,000 for replacement. Newer systems (SEER 16+) reduce cooling costs by 30-50%.
5. Consider Future Climate Projections
Research how temperatures are expected to change in the area. Cities experiencing rapid warming may become unaffordable or unlivable within your homeownership timeframe.
Check All Climate Risks for Your Property
Heat is just one of six climate risk factors we track