Press Release

CALIFORNIA TITLE 24 RECOGNIZES PRE-EMPTIVE ROLE OF WHITE COATINGS IN SAVING ENERGY, SAYS WHITE COATINGS COUNCIL
WCC Applauds Exemption of Buildings with High-Reflectance from Energy Audits

[Washington, DC] — According to the White Coatings Council (WCC) of the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA), recent legislation in California underscores the merits of using white coatings on commercial buildings to reduce energy costs.

“California Title 24 legislation is exemplary for its support of white coatings,” said Thomas L. Meyer, Co-chairman of the White Coatings Council. “Exempting buildings with high reflectance roofing from energy audits is fitting and proper because white coatings dramatically decrease the need for insulation and air conditioning.”

Steve Heinje, also Co-chairman of the WCC, further explains that alleviating solar heating loads directly affects peak electricity requirements. “Peak electric loads are often the basis for the price of electricity, because they establish the energy generating needs of a region,” Heinje says. “This pioneering legislation sends a strong message to building designers: The best way to cool a building is to divert the solar energy before it raises temperatures.”
 
California Title 24 legislation requires a detailed energy audit on a new building, to show that solar heat is dissipated or removed in an energy efficient manner, e.g., through insulation and climate control systems, unless the building uses highly reflective roofing with reflectance values above 0.70.

“California architects and building designers should learn very quickly that it is much easier to deal with solar heating upfront with white coatings,” says Heinje.

California especially stands to benefit from white coatings because of its sunny climate. On a clear day in California, a roof absorbs up to 1200 Watts per square meter. Often this energy needs to be pumped out using air conditioning even though it could have been reflected back into space in the first place.

“The most remarkable property of a white coating is that no energy is used to scatter sunlight,” says Meyer. “Scattering the light from the sun using white coatings is much more energy efficient than pumping heat using air conditioners. In this sense, a white coating is equivalent to a renewable resource for cooling buildings.”

“The White Coatings Council is committed to convincing commercial building owners and designers that white coatings are easy to understand, easy to apply and cost-effective. We appreciate the efforts of California lawmakers to encourage the use of white coatings as well,” concludes Meyer. “They deserve to be applauded.”

For additional information on white coating products and the White Coatings Council, please visit http://www.roofcoatings.org/wcc.html.

###

About the RCMA

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association is the national trade association representing the manufacturers of cold-applied protective roof coatings and cements, and the suppliers of products, equipment, and/or services to and for the industry. RCMA is committed to continually improving performance and quality of roofing. For additional information, contact RCMA at: (202) 207-0919; Fax: (202) 223-9741; or visit the RCMA website at: www.roofcoatings.org.

About the White Coatings Council

The RCMA White Coatings Council services the producers and suppliers of acrylic or elastomeric (non-bituminous) coatings. The Council has already implemented an industry promotional program, and is actively planning programs to respond to targeted governmental and regulatory issues, technical matters and activities, and membership services and programs. Today's White Coatings Council includes 18 manufacturers.

ATTENTION EDITORS:  Excellent high-resolution digital photography relating to white coatings is available upon request. Please contact Harry Schmitz, hschmitz@kellencompany.com, Direct Phone (516) 414-0698, Mobile Phone (516) 582-0808.