Coolwall Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1:
How does the COOLWALL® System compare to those coatings claiming to be "ceramic"?
Answer:
The so called "ceramic" coatings actually are ordinary coatings that have had small ceramic spheres added. The premise sounds good, except that the science does not support the claims that are made. Even though these coatings may be applied heavier than ordinary paint, there simply is not enough thickness to effect insulation of any measure. These ceramic coatings have been debunked by the Department of Energy and the Federal Trade Commission and they do not increase reflectivity.
To see the DOE "CERAMICS" video CLICK HERE.
Question 2:
What is the life of the COOLWALL® SYSTEM?
Answer:
"The COOLWALL® System is designed to last a lifetime. Testing in our state-of-the-art xenon weathering chamber showed the COOLWALL® System was still performing beautifully after the equivalent of more than 10 years exposure, with no end in sight!"
Question 3:
What is the recoat procedure?
Answer:
1. Recoating should begin with a clean, sound surface.
2. If recoating with the same color, COOLWALL® finish may be applied without a primer.
3. If recoating in a different color, you may require both COOLWALL® primer and finish.
Question 4:
What is the Green Seal- Class "A" Green Seal 11?
Answer:
Currently refers to interior paints only. A product such as COOLWALL® SYSTEM meets the Green Seal requirements.
Question 5:
What are three DELTA (Δ) values of fade?
Answer:
A color difference of 1 DELTA (Δ) value is the point where a color difference begins to be perceptible to the average person's eye. A difference of 3 DELTA (Δ) values is a difference noticeable by most people.
Question 6:
What effect does the COOLWALL® SYSTEM have on previously painted projects that are to be rehabilitated with COOLWALL®?
Answer:
COOLWALL® should have negligible effect to an existing film as it relates to stress. The existing paint should be clean and sound with proper adhesion to the substrate. COOLWALL®, will be the same regardless of whether it is applied to an existing paint or coating film or a substrate that has never been painted or coated before.
Question 7:
How does COOLWALL® reflect heat without changing color?
Answer:
The ability of COOLWALL® to keep wall surfaces cooler is based on its ability to reflect a much greater percentage of the non-visible portion of the spectrum leaving the color relatively unaffected.
COOLWALL® has tremendous performance to reflect these elements. The ability of COOLWALL® to keep wall surfaces cooler is based on its ability to reflect a much greater percentage of the non-visible portion of the spectrum relatively unaffected.
Question 8:
Municipalities restricting color selection by Architects/Owners because of rapid fading are limiting selection of conventional paints to pastel & earth tones only. Does COOLWALL® have limited color choices?
Answer:
COOLWALL® will provide the designer the opportunity to select a much wider range of colors in medium and deep tones without the concern of fading.
Question 9 (Qualification for LEED Points and Certification)
The Challenge
Many design professionals are looking for ways to increase the number of points awarded by USGBC for the LEED certification of their building project. Are you one of them? If so, the TEX•COTE® COOLWALL® system may be able to help. As we all know, the LEED system is complex and it can be difficult to navigate through every facet and category that should be included in the application to USGBC. It is not unusual for items that could contribute to point totals to be missed.
It is a proven fact that the COOLWALL® system saves on cooling energy costs of a building, but you may ask - how do I translate that information into the LEED application for my building? You may also ask what other credits can COOLWALL® contribute toward?
The Answer
The COOLWALL® system has been recognized by prominent LEED Accredited Professionals (AP’s) as being worthy of submission for LEED credits. COOLWALL® has already been documented as contributing toward LEED points being awarded under one or more of the following categories:
- EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance
- SS Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof
- MR Credit 4.1: Recycled Content: 10% (post-consumer + 1/2 pre-consumer)
- ID Credit 1–1.4: Innovation in Design
EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance
Clearly the tested and proven capabilities of the COOLWALL® system for reducing the amount of energy needed to cool buildings is a natural fit under the EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance. Data that was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Architectural Energy Corporation and available from TEX•COTE® is useful in the documentation of this benefit.
Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof
Another category that can offer contribution toward LEED credit with the COOLWALL® system is the SS Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof. This category requires some inductive logic because it was originally envisioned as referring to horizontal surfaces around the building, rather than wall surfaces. Now it is being recognized that the functionality of COOLWALL® to reflect heat radiation away from the building will provide the same types of benefits that for example using light colored sidewalks and driving surfaces will versus blacktop.
MR Credit 4.1: Recycled Content: 10% (post-consumer + 1/2 pre-consumer)
The COOLWALL® system now also incorporates a recycled raw material that allows it to be submitted for LEED credit contribution under the MR Credit 4.1: Recycled Content: 10% (post-consumer + 1/2 pre-consumer) category.
This category could be termed a "slam-dunk" since it is not subject to the appraiser’s interpretation. If the product has the recycled content per the requirements of the category, case closed – the LEED credit contribution should be recognized.
ID Credit 1–1.4: Innovation in Design
Each LEED appraiser will approach the assessment process differently, especially for categories that involve subjective assessments. Some are sticklers about staying strictly within the bounds of the category's original definitions. The "Innovation in Design" category allows these appraisers the latitude to recognize and award credit contribution for items that don’t fall strictly within the available definitions (such as Credit 7.1 Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof), but are in keeping with the intent of the program and yield demonstrated benefits. Under LEED v3 (2009), this category will also be utilized to recognize contributions in excess of the minimum requirement for a category’s benefit threshold.
Question 10:
How does COOLWALL® relate to a Wall System "R" Rating?
Answer:
COOLWALL® does not work by an "insulation" process and thus it does not have an "R value" (R stands for resistance). Instead, COOLWALL® reflects the infrared energy from the sun so that the wall does not get as hot in the first place. This substantially reduces the amount of heat that the fiberglass or other type of insulation needs to keep out. By increasing Solar Reflectivity in the entire color spectrum, COOLWALL® is reducing surface temperatures and cooling costs.
Question 11:
What are the potential cost savings with COOLWALL®?
Answer:
COOLWALL® has been tested by the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory to reduce cooling costs by up to 21.9%* (percentage savings are based on DOE study which showed savings ranging from 4.2 - *21.9%).
*Percentage of cooling costs and surface temperature reductions will vary based on color chosen, geographical location, climate conditions, and substrate type. In some climates there may be a heating penalty. For supporting documentation on cooling cost savings CLICK HERE.