# Assessing the Impact of Thermal Coating Paints on Indoor Temperature and Energy Efficiency in Colombian Caribbean Homes

## TL;DR

This study evaluates how thermal coating paints reduce indoor temperatures and energy use in homes along the Colombian Caribbean Coast.

## Contribution

The study introduces a mobile application and experimental data from 120 houses to assess thermal coatings' impact on energy efficiency.

## Key findings

- Houses with thermal coatings showed temperature reductions ranging from 1.5% to 16%.
- An average 7% reduction in thermal load was observed across the studied homes.
- A mobile app was developed to share findings and promote community engagement.

## Abstract

Thermal coating paints offer a passive strategy to reduce heat gain in buildings, improve ventilation, and lower energy consumption. This study investigates the effectiveness of these technologies by comparing different housing structures and environmental conditions. Specifically, it examines thermal envelope solutions for cool roofs in homes along the Colombian Caribbean Coast. We quantify the thermal impacts using experimental data collected from 120 houses across eight municipalities in the Magdalena Department, Colombia. The research details the technology and analytical methods employed, focusing on thermal reductions achieved through thermal coatings to potentially reduce energy demand. A comprehensive measurement system, incorporating temperature and humidity sensors, is developed to assess the impact of the coatings. Thermal comfort is evaluated according to the ASHRAE 55 standard, with temperature reductions calculated for each house treated with thermal coatings. A methodology is applied to evaluate the thermal reduction between a house with a coating solution versus a house without it. The results show a temperature reduction on a house-by-house basis, from 1.5% to 16%. On average, the results yield a significant 7% reduction in thermal load. Additionally, a mobile application is developed to disseminate the results of this research, promoting the social appropriation of science among the involved communities.