Africa

Reflective roof paint cools African homes by several degrees in field trials

Researchers track sleep and health impacts across South Africa and Ghana, heat adaptation arrives as a consumer product

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The researchers are collecting data from monitors inside houses as well as conducting health tests on participants to determine whether reflective white paint is effective at reducing temperatures inside homes The researchers are collecting data from monitors inside houses as well as conducting health tests on participants to determine whether reflective white paint is effective at reducing temperatures inside homes theguardian.com
In Khayelitsha, 60 houses were monitored by the study: 30 with painted roofs, 30 without. In Khayelitsha, 60 houses were monitored by the study: 30 with painted roofs, 30 without. theguardian.com
Data from 240 houses across Africa has shown that those with painted roofs are on average 3-4C cooler during the hottest time of the day Data from 240 houses across Africa has shown that those with painted roofs are on average 3-4C cooler during the hottest time of the day theguardian.com
The team, including research assistant Nandipha Sinyanya and Dr Vuyisile Moyo, pictured here, have forged bonds in the Khayelitsha community over their three summers of data collection The team, including research assistant Nandipha Sinyanya and Dr Vuyisile Moyo, pictured here, have forged bonds in the Khayelitsha community over their three summers of data collection theguardian.com
Moyo inspects a roof which has been painted with reflective paint Moyo inspects a roof which has been painted with reflective paint theguardian.com

Reflective roof paint cools African homes by several degrees in field trials, researchers track sleep and health impacts across South Africa and Ghana, a low-tech fix advances while formal heat policy lags