In the heart of India’s semi-arid Maharashtra region, a groundbreaking study is shedding light on the often-overlooked impact of roofing materials on indoor heat stress, with significant implications for the energy sector. Led by Premsagar Prakash Tasgaonkar of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai and the WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS) in Pune, the research, published in the journal *Indoor Environments* (translated as “Indoor Environments”), is challenging conventional wisdom and pointing towards innovative solutions for mitigating heat risks in low-socioeconomic status households.
The study, conducted in the Jalna district of Maharashtra, reveals that the type of roofing material can significantly influence indoor heat stress, a factor often overlooked in climate change vulnerability assessments. Using indoor data loggers, Tasgaonkar and his team monitored temperature and relative humidity in various housing conditions, deriving the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to evaluate heat-risk exposure.
The findings are striking. Dwellings with tin roofs experience higher and more prolonged heat risks compared to those with Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) or thatch roofs. “We found that RCC and tin roofs exhibit increased exposure during the day, with WBGT levels up to 5–7°C higher at night,” Tasgaonkar explains. “In contrast, thatched roofs show minimal daily WBGT variation, indicating robust heat resilience.”
The study also highlights the crucial role of ceiling fans in mitigating indoor heat stress. Fans consistently lower indoor WBGT, reducing heat-risk hours across all roof types. However, their effectiveness varies by time of day and housing material. “Fans offer the most cooling benefit in the early morning and late evening hours,” Tasgaonkar notes. “They reduce indoor WBGT by approximately 1.1°C in tin-roof houses, 1.4°C in thatched houses, and 1.5°C in RCC houses during these critical heat periods.”
The commercial implications of this research are substantial. As climate change intensifies, the demand for energy-efficient cooling solutions is set to rise. The findings suggest that investing in innovative roofing materials and optimizing fan usage could significantly reduce indoor heat stress, lowering energy consumption and costs.
Moreover, the study underscores the need for tailored solutions. “One size does not fit all,” Tasgaonkar emphasizes. “The effectiveness of cooling strategies varies depending on the roofing material and time of day. Understanding these nuances is crucial for developing effective heat mitigation strategies.”
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, this research offers valuable insights for the energy sector. By highlighting the impact of roofing materials and the role of ceiling fans, it paves the way for innovative solutions that can enhance indoor comfort, reduce energy consumption, and ultimately, improve the quality of life for millions of people in low-socioeconomic status households.