A study recently published in the Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society showed that the type of paint used in urban areas makes a big difference in terms of temperatures across larger cities, with the use of cool paint being extremely beneficial in combating the urban heat island effect.
Although using specific types of paint to combat the urban heat island effect is not new, this research study was the first of its kind where researchers at the Nanyang Technological University coated the road, walls and roofs of a whole industrial area in Singapore with a special type of paint with additives designed to reflect the sun’s light and heat.
Up until this point, the vast majority of studies looking at cool paint have been either tested in very small models or done through simulations. By coating an entire area of a city with cool paint researchers were able to compare the comfort levels and temperatures of the area with an adjacent area that did not have the cool paint.
Cool Paint Leads to Cooler Temperatures and Energy Savings
Over the course of two months, researchers studied levels of radiation, air and surface temperature, air movement and humidity. After two months, researchers found that the areas coated in CP had up to a 30 percent reduction in the amount of heat released. The overall result was a 2°C cooler difference during the daytime.
This study also indicated that the paint was able to reduce both surface heat absorption and emission. Roofs with cool paint coatings were able to reflect up to 50 percent more sunlight than those without cool paint and absorbed 40 percent less heat. According to the study’s lead author, Dr E V S Kiran Kumar Donthu, “Our study provides evidence that cool paint coatings reduce heat build-up and contribute to the cooling of the urban environment”.
As heatwaves become more common and devastating to populations, large cities around the world are looking for ways to combat rising temperatures with the urban heat island effect being one aspect. By using this type of paint to cover various built-up surfaces in urban areas, it can result in cities being more comfortable to live in. If urban structures absorb less heat, it also reduces the need for air conditioning and results in lower electricity usage.
Image from Depositphotos
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