Cool Painting

Painting your house can help save the environment. A new cement-based paint helps to reflect sunlight, and release water through the process of evaporation, essentially creating a natural air conditioning system, cutting out the need for electricity. [1] In humid climates, such as Singapore, the paint has been observed to have ’10 times more cooling power than existing commercial cooling paints and cut electricity costs by 30-40%.’ [2] In a scientific journal, it has been found that the paint achieves ’88-92% solar reflectance, 95% of atmospheric window emittance and has self-replenishing properties.’ [3] Defined as ‘passive radiative cooling,’ this paint is a long term solution for mitigating the urban heat island effect. 

How Cool Paint Works

The paint works by mimicking human skin, in the sense that skin ‘releases sweat to cool the body, the paint slowly releases stored water through evaporation.’ [4] Due to the cement-based property of this paint, it can hold ‘30% of the paints weight in water, providing continuous cooling… translating directly into lower electricity bills for homeowners and businesses.’ [5] Whilst studying the effects of the paint over 2 years, scientist Jipeng Fei determined that the cooling paint kept homes ‘at 4.5 degrees lower in temperature,’ compared to alternative cooling paints, but also maintains it’s colour. Jipeng Fei states, ‘other paints turn yellow but our paint was still white,’ [after 2 years of sun exposure] thus, allowing for a longevity of ‘high reflectivity and cooling performance.’ [6]

Cost and Sustainability

Although, on a commercial level, the paint is suspected to be 20-50% above market value, in comparison to its competitors, ‘the energy savings will offset higher initial costs within 2 or 3 years, making the technology economically attractive.’ [7] The sustainability of this paint is not only highlighted through its aesthetic longevity, but also through its chemical makeup, as ‘cement-based materials and water absorbing compounds have relatively low carbon footprints during production.’ All in all, the paint will aid in ‘reducing urban temperatures and reducing heat related health problems,’ perfect in countries where ‘power infrastructure or air conditioning remains unaffordable for residents.’ [8]

The Future of Eco-Friendly Paints

Eco-friendly and sustainable paints ‘minimise harm to the environment, pave the way for cleaner and greener spaces and may become an essential tool for creating more sustainable urban environments.’ [9]

About Pager Power

Pager Power undertakes technical assessments for developers of renewable energy projects and tall buildings worldwide. 

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References