If I can use one word to describe Singapore, it would be hot. With temperatures ranging up to 35°C in some months, it is undeniable that ice cream is a necessity for us here.
However, things are about to change for the residents in Tampines thanks to two coats of paint.
Tampines HDB Blocks Will Be Coated with Heat-Reflective Paint to Prepare for a Cooler S’pore
The HDB blocks in Tampines will be going through a cooler makeover with a new type of heat-reflective paint. About 130 blocks and pavements will be affected.
The first batch involved around 20 blocks on Tampines Street 83 and 84.
This paint is said to reduce atmospheric temperatures by up to two degrees Celsius.
Similar to Project Wolbachia, the results of the cooler makeover will be studied. If successful, almost all the buildings and pavements in Singapore will be coated in this magical paint.
Heat-Reflective Paint
The heat-reflective paint will cause the buildings and pavements to absorb heat when the sun shines, and release that stored energy when it turns dark.
Something like solar panels but in paint form.
The painted surfaces will also absorb less heat in the day and thus releasing less heat at night.
Now the question we’ve all been waiting for, will the paint turn our HDBs into blocks of mirrors?
Unfortunately, no. There will be no difference between conventional paint and heat-reflective paint by sight.
Similar to conventional painting, a primer or undercoat has to be applied before the application of two layers of cool paint. This application process is to ensure better adhesion of the paint to the surfaces.
Why Tampines?
Due to the earth’s rotation and the position of our tiny red dot during our “summer months”, Tampines is deemed to be the hottest as compared to other parts of Singapore.
It apparently has a higher than average land surface temperature.
Tampines is Not the First Town to Try Out the Cool Paints
Although Tampines may be the first town to get cool paint painted on HDB blocks, it is not the first town to go through this pilot.
Previously, the cool paint experiment was conducted in Tuas and Bukit Purmei between 2018 and 2020.
Back then, there was a significant difference of 2 degrees Celsius between the buildings with conventional paint and the buildings coated in the cool paint.
This time, they are gathering data to see how does cool paint affect buildings of different heights, the surrounding greenery and if the market is ready for a cooler makeover.
This repainting process is projected to complete by the end of next year. The unpainted blocks will get their turn progressively.
To know more on how to stay cool even when the weather is unforgivingly hot, watch this video to the end:
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Featured Image: The Light Lab / Shutterstock.com