Can cool coatings combat climate change?

Abstract

Reducing energy consumption is an important part of fighting climate change—and a great way to cut expenses. Governments, corporations, and homeowners are looking to technology to reduce the demand for heating and cooling. Heat pumps, solar panels, insulation, air sealing, and sweaters all get lots of attention, but roof coatings offer another opportunity. Installation is simple and costs are low, sometimes as straightforward as replacing a conventional paint with a new coating system during regular maintenance. New entrants into the market promise better thermal management with a range of chemical tricks, and the coatings industry is watching closely. Imagine a paint that could lower your energy bills, an architectural coating that could help your company meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets. That’s the idea behind “cool roof” coatings. A range of such coatings already on the market can reduce the amount of solar heat gain that buildings have to cope