News Climate

This paint ‘sweats’ to keep your house cool

An experimental, cement-based paint cools buildings by combining sunlight reflection and water evaporation

A close-up from the elbows down of a person painting the siding of a house. One hand holds a paintbrush while the other holds a tray of white paint

A new cooling paint reflects sunlight and mimics sweat to reduce air-conditioning use.

Marie LaFauci/Getty Images

By Larissa G. Capella

A cool house without air conditioning may soon be possible.

Scientists in Singapore have developed a new type of paint that reflects sunlight and cools surfaces by slowly evaporating water. Unlike other commercially available cooling paints, which are designed to repel water to protect the underlying material, the new one even works in hot, humid places, offering a low-energy way to stay cool, researchers report June 5 in Science.