As our urban spaces grow, so does the problem of Urban Heat Island (UHI) – a phenomenon where the temperature in a city is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. This is mainly due to human activities and the physical characteristics of urban areas such as the dark concrete and asphalt surfaces that absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat. Fortunately, advancements in building technology are providing us with innovative solutions to mitigate this problem. One such solution is the use of solar reflective paint, also known as high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) paint.

Solar reflective paint is a type of cool roof technology. A cool roof is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. It achieves this by having a high solar reflectance and a high thermal emittance, properties that allow the roof to reflect the sun’s rays and radiate absorbed heat back into the atmosphere. As a result, a cool roof coated with solar reflective paint can stay up to 10°C cooler than a conventional roof.

The benefits of using solar reflective paint are numerous. First, it can significantly reduce heat gain in a building, leading to a cooler and more comfortable indoor environment. This is particularly beneficial in hot climates where air conditioning costs can be high. In some studies, it was observed that a cool roof could reduce the indoor temperature by as much as 4-5°C.

Furthermore, by reducing the need for air conditioning, solar reflective paint can lead to substantial energy savings and lower peak power demand. This is not only beneficial for the building owner in terms of reduced energy costs, but it also contributes to the broader goal of energy conservation and climate change mitigation.

In addition, solar reflective paint can help to reduce the temperature of the microclimate around the building and mitigate the effects of UHI. This is due to its high albedo or solar reflectance, which means it reflects a large portion of the incoming solar radiation back into the atmosphere, rather than absorbing it and re-emitting it as heat.

Case Study: Econ Packaging – Reducing Heat with High SRI Coating

Econ Packaging, a leader in the packaging industry, sought to address the challenge of high temperatures within its facilities. Rising temperatures during peak summer heat not only contributed to discomfort among the workforce but also led to increased energy costs due to the need for cooling. With a commitment to sustainability and the well-being of their employees, Econ Packaging turned to high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) coatings as a solution.

The Project

Econ Packaging set out to test the effectiveness of solar reflective paint in reducing indoor temperatures. They chose to apply a premium 5 coat system on their warehouse and production facility roofs. The system included 2 coats of Cool Guard, 2 coats of Cool Top, along with Transeal, and was reinforced with fiber mesh and Hi seal Slurry.

The primary aim of the project was to lower the temperature of the roof surface and subsequently decrease the underdeck temperature, ultimately resulting in a cooler internal environment. Temperature measurements were taken before and after the application of the Cool Tops Coating between 2:30 to 3:00 pm, a time at which the sun’s heat was at its peak.

The Results

Before the application of the Cool Tops Coating, the surface over the deck in the warehouse and production areas reached scorching temperatures of 59°C. The underdeck temperatures were also high, reaching 48-49°C in the warehouse and 50°C in the production area. The ambient temperature was recorded at 45°C.

After the application of the Cool Tops Coating, a significant decrease in temperature was observed. The surface over the deck in the warehouse dropped to 44.9°C, and in the production area, it dropped to 50°C. Even more impressively, the underdeck temperatures experienced a substantial reduction, with the warehouse recording 37-38.5°C and the production area 36°C. The ambient temperature at the time of recording was 32°C.

These results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the high SRI coatings. The reduction in the surface and underdeck temperatures resulted in a more comfortable working environment and less reliance on artificial cooling systems, leading to energy savings.

This table clearly demonstrates the significant temperature reduction achieved in both the warehouse and production areas of Econ Packaging after the application of Cool Tops Coating. The surface over deck, underdeck, and ambient temperatures all decreased, leading to a cooler and more comfortable working environment.