Scientists Develop Energy Efficient Cooling Paint That Works Like Natural Sweat

The new energy efficient cooling paint delivered 10 times better performance than commercial alternatives while cutting electricity costs by up to 40 percent in testing.

Scientists have developed a remarkable energy efficient cooling paint that regulates building temperature by mimicking how the human body stays cool. The cement-based coating reflects sunlight and releases water through evaporation, creating a natural air conditioning system that requires zero electricity.

This breakthrough technology could dramatically reduce energy bills and help fight climate change. In tests conducted in Singapore, one of the world’s most humid cities, the energy efficient cooling paint delivered 10 times more cooling power than existing commercial cooling paints and cut electricity costs by 30 to 40 percent.

The innovation comes at a critical time when air conditioning consumes 7 percent of the world’s electricity supply. Building cooling has become one of the fastest-growing sources of energy use globally, making energy-free alternatives increasingly vital for reducing carbon emissions.

An international research team from China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States published their findings in the journal Science. Their energy efficient cooling paint combines three cooling methods that work together to create super-cooling powers.

Traditional white cooling paints work by bouncing sunlight away from buildings. The new paint reflects between 88 and 92 percent of sunlight while releasing heat as infrared radiation that passes directly through the atmosphere into space, a process scientists call passive radiative cooling.

The third cooling mechanism makes this energy efficient cooling paint truly unique. Like human skin that releases sweat to cool the body, the paint slowly releases stored water through evaporation. This water comes from rain and moisture absorbed from the air.

The paint’s secret lies in its porous structure made from calcium silicate hydrate, a cement-like material. This network of tiny interconnected spaces can hold about 30 percent of the paint’s weight in water. The stored water then slowly evaporates, providing continuous cooling even during humid conditions when other cooling paints fail.

To prove their paint works, researchers painted three identical demonstration houses with different coatings. One received regular white paint, another got commercial cooling paint, and the third was coated with the new formula. They measured indoor temperatures and electricity use throughout Singapore’s hot summer months.

The house with the energy efficient cooling paint stayed consistently cooler than the others. Indoor temperatures remained more than 4.5 degrees Celsius lower than in the comparison buildings. Even during a month of continuous rain and cloudy weather, the new paint maintained 40 percent energy savings.

Computer simulations of a typical four-story building in Singapore’s climate showed the paint could deliver consistent energy savings of about 34 percent year-round. These savings translate directly into lower electricity bills for homeowners and businesses.

See also: How the World’s Whitest Paint Can Reduce Energy Use

While researchers have not released specific pricing details, industry experts suggest this energy efficient cooling paint could cost between 20 to 50 percent more than traditional commercial painting solutions. However, the energy savings could offset higher initial costs within two to three years, making the technology economically attractive for building owners.

The practical benefits extend beyond cooling performance. The cement-based paint offers high mechanical strength and weather resistance, making it durable for long-term use. It cures quickly after application and sticks strongly to various building surfaces using standard painting equipment.

The environmental impact of manufacturing this paint appears favorable compared to energy-intensive cooling systems. The primary ingredients include cement-based materials and water-absorbing compounds, which have relatively low carbon footprints during production. Unlike traditional air conditioning units that require energy-intensive manufacturing of metals and refrigerants, this paint relies on readily available construction materials.

The paint represents a significant advance over existing passive cooling technologies. Traditional cool roof coatings focus primarily on solar reflectance, with white roofs providing about 30 degrees cooler surfaces than gray ones and cutting electricity use by up to 10 percent. Green roofs require significant structural modifications and ongoing maintenance. Phase-change materials work well but cost significantly more and require specialized installation.

Next-generation cooling technologies include paints that shed more heat than they absorb and coatings that change between absorbing and reflecting solar energy depending on the season. However, none combine the triple cooling mechanisms found in this energy efficient cooling paint.

Widespread use of this energy efficient cooling paint could help reduce urban temperatures, making cities more comfortable and reducing heat-related health problems. Urban areas often experience higher temperatures than surrounding countryside due to the urban heat island effect, where dark surfaces absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night.

The technology could prove especially valuable in developing countries where power infrastructure may be limited or air conditioning remains unaffordable for many residents. Climate scientists have long emphasized the need for building solutions that reduce rather than increase energy consumption.

As cities worldwide struggle with rising temperatures and growing energy demands, innovations like this energy efficient cooling paint may become essential tools for creating more sustainable urban environments.