Scientists create 'whitest paint ever' to help reduce reliance on air conditioning

Independent
Liam James

Scientists have developed what they claim is the whitest ever paint as a way to tackle global warming by reducing the need for air conditioning.

Engineers at Purdue University say said it reflects up to 98.1 per cent of sunlight – up from 95.5 per cent on their last attempt from six months ago – and can cool surfaces by as much as 19F or 10.5C.

Ordinary white paints that are designed to reject heat reflect only 80-90 per cent of sunlight and cannot make surfaces cooler than their surroundings, according to researchers.

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The paint is so white due to a high concentration of barium sulphate, which is used to make photo paper and cosmetics white.

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/whitest-paint-air-conditioning-purdue-b1831972.html

I am really excited about the possibilities for this paint. More than a decade ago I wrote articles about using white roofs to cool buildings for a small magazine about energy solutions.

When we replaced our roof several years ago, we opted for a type of shingle that was the most reflective we could find at the time. We also had the roofers install a ridge vent and soffit vents. Before doing this, our ceilings were hot to touch during the summer. Now they no longer get hot, which likely reduces our cooling bill.

With the addition of solar panels. our electric bill in summer is usually $8.50, which PEPCO lists as a "customer charge," whatever that is. Now and then they also send us a small check for supplying them with the excess power from our solar panels.