Super Therm® Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can Super Therm^® solar heat block coating help me?

Super Therm^® effectively lower temperatures inside of buildings through solar heat load blocks, leading to energy reduction and less heat stress. When you talk about a 20-50% decrease in energy (DOE industry tested) usage that equates to a large amount of financial benefits long term. See how you can reduce expenses with Super Therm^®. If you’re looking for an effective and efficient solution to managing your energy reduction, other running costs and improved comfort then Super Therm^® is for you.

Q: How much does Super Therm^® cost?

Super Therm^® is the least expensive professional permanent solution to solar heat block challenges. Super Therm^® will be making money for you for a long time…OR…You can use the another paint, and use it again in two years, and again in two more years, etc…OR…You can do nothing and continue to pay higher utility prices. If you have solar panels you’ll also be increasing the cost reduction as less energy consumption and improved performance from cooler panels means more power back to the grid for you. Contact us regarding prices!

Q: Is Super Therm^® for real?

Yes it is!

Super Therm^® Insulation Cool Ceramic Coating was developed in 1989 and apart from having a very high 96.1% Total Solar Reflectance and very minimal energy transfer rate at just 0.25mm of just 0.559 W/m2/K it has the ultra rare validation of its integrity:

• NASA: Only ceramic solar heat block coating that was developed with NASA
• DOE: Tested and verified by the Department of Energy at 3 locations that proved it created 20-50% energy reduction
• EPA: Tested by the EPA as safe
• Corporations: Countless industry results globally including 9.3 million m2 in Japan

Q: Where and how can I order

If you are ready to start reaping the benefits, be more comfortable, be environmentally conscious. Contact NEOtech Coatings Australia to get a quote, or place your order.

Q: When should I use Super Therm^®?

Super Therm^® can be used to prevent solar heat load on most substrates and in most conditions. Super Therm^® is extremely effective because it reduces moisture load into a substrate as well and air infiltration through a wall cavity, which substantially increases its solar heat blocking value over traditional materials and has been tested at 23, 50, 75 and 100°c.

Q: Who uses Super Therm^®?

A: Some major international companies use and apply Super Therm^® with some strong case studies from Japan:

Q: How is Super Therm® sold?

Super Therm^® is sold in 5 gallon pails = 18.9 litres. Average per litre costs increase on smaller quantities if decanted plus delivery costs. 18.9 litres spreads to 45m2 = 1 litre / 2.4m2.

Q: Since 54%* of heat that enters a room from the sun is through Infrared radiation (IR), does Super Therm^® stop IR radiation?

A: Yes. Tested by “COSMO Trade and Services” at the Japanese Institute of Technology in the window film and coating testing, Super Therm^® blocked 95% of long range radiation (IR). In fact, Super Therm® is the only solar heat block coating in the world that stops virtually all heat!

Q: Can Super Therm® be used for flat roofing?

Super Therm^® creates an energy efficient flat roof when used in a multi-layer system with Super-Base (HS) and Mastic Sealing Tape. Use Enamo Grip as a top coat.

Q: What is the value of Super Therm® when used inside of buildings?

Super Therm^® has a tested emissivity of 0.91 however its unique strength is to prevent solar heat load. Super Therm® also blocks moisture load and airflow through walls/ceilings. Super Therm^® does breathe and will allow gasses and trapped moisture vapours to transmit for healthy and safe environments. Super Therm^® as also passed significant fire testing. It has also been used internally on walls and stairs to reduce sound and acoustic transfer.

Q: Does Super Therm^® have an R value?

Super Therm® is not designed as a conductive insulation so therefore does not have an R value. Insulation coatings are rated on BTUs. Super Therm’s BTU rating is 99.5% solar heat block:

1. Super Therm® is not promoted or sold based upon any claim about a R-value or a R-value equivalency.
2. Super Therm^® does not have a R-value and is not designed to be used to block conductive heat in the same manner as traditional/fibreglass insulation. Super Therm^® is not code-approved anywhere for use as an interior insulation or for use as an insulation having a R-value. It is to be used on external of buildings to reflect solar heat.
3. Super Therm® is not designed to block conductive solar heat transfer; Super Therm® blocks radiational solar heat transfer (solar heat from the sun) when applied to the exterior of a building or other enclosure.
4. The major benefit of using Super Therm® in building construction is to apply it on the exterior of the building (roof and side walls) to block solar radiation and to prevent solar heat from loading into the building envelope.

Q: Do you have a BTU value?

A: Yes. ASTM C-236 Hot Box test and “Merrimac (pdf)” testing performed on shipping containers. A Heat Load test saw a reduction from 367.20 BTU down to 3.99 BTU into substrate.

Florida Energy Office as part of the US Department of Energy (DEO) performed three separate tests in three different parts of the United States, Florida, Denver and Texas and found a 20-50% energy reduction.

Q: Are there any current formulas and related ASTM testing to correctly test the effects of a ceramic coating used to block solar heat?

No. All current testing procedures in recognised laboratories are based on substrates and materials that offer a required minimum of thickness of 1 inch and assess only conductive heat transfer. The dry thickness of Super Therm® is 250 microns dry. The current formulas and equations are not adapted to such thin levels of insulation materials and do not consider radiational or convective heat transfer, moisture migration, air movement or surface emissivity. “Heat Load” is the key to heat absorption and then transfer. If heat load is reduced, then the amount of heat “available” for transfer is reduced and therefore affects conduction of solar heat into the building.

Q: Has Super Therm^® been tested to show the reduction of BTU conduction of heat through a substrate to verify its performance level?

A: Yes. In the Thermophysical Research Lab report, the metal plate conducted 367.20 BTU’s, then with one coat of Super Therm^® applied at 7-8 mils, the BTU conduction was reduced from 367.20 to 3.99. a 99.5% reduction after Super Therm^® was applied. It was noted that the conductivity of the paint is independent of the surface to which it is applied – that is, the conductivity of the paint is the same on a metal or a concrete surface.

Q: Are there any negatives in winter using an solar heat block coating compared with summer?

The ‘Winter Penalty‘ is really a misnomer. A presentation by Dr John Pockett from the Barbara Hardy Institute, University of South Australia heating losses are much less than cooling efficiency gains from solar reflective paints. During extreme conditions, the COP (coefficient of performance) for heating is noticeably higher than the COP for cooling. Consequently, one unit of thermal energy required for heating in peak winter conditions requires less electrical energy than one unit of cooling energy during peak summer demand (source).

“Cooling efficiency is much less than heating and falls off very quickly as the ambient temperature increases, being about half its maximum when we have a very hot day. This requires much more electricity to get the same cooling effect and is one of the reasons why our modelling shows more effect for light rather than dark roofs compared with modelling based only on the first step, heat flow into conditioned spaces”.

A South Australian Government Cool Roof report: While there usually is an increase in the demand for heating in winter, for cool roofs introduced in the right locations and the right building types this so called “winter penalty” can be insignificant and is much lower than the reduction in the cooling load. Cool roofs therefore have the potential to achieve a significant reduction in the annual cooling/heating demand from buildings at a very low cost, especially if light coloured paints are incorporated into the building design from new.

Q: Do you have independent field studies by engineering groups to show the actual performance of the product on different substrates studied for over a year in performance?

A: Yes, “SONY” engineering group performed testing on buildings. Result was 78% reduction on KW usage in a building which directly relates to dollars (KW times the cost of KW by the local power company). See other results.

Many other major companies around the world have substantiated the results with their testing. Local fast food facilities with 25% reduction with only the roof coated and their grills in constant normal operation is outstanding result by Super Therm®.

Q:  There are other ceramic paints, why should I use Super Therm^®?

6 Key Benefits of High Performance Super Therm®

• World’s only solar heat block coating that blocks 96.1% of total solar heat
  (4 unique ceramic compounds that blocks virtually most of all 3 energy waves – IR, UV, Visual and stops heat load)
• Proven to last over 30 years
• Prevents thermal shock protecting your assets
• Passively gives you thousands of dollars in energy cost benefits
• Return on investment in many cases within 3 years (subject to location and application)
• 54% solids, water based, safe and easy application

A: As some of the world’s largest corporations and government agencies that opted for Super Therm^®, this is a strong indicator that it’s the market leader. Super Therm^® will do the job for 33 years, it will insulate even if you paint over it, it will cut your energy bills in half thus returning your investment within 3 years on average, and it will result in great benefits from there on.

Additionally Super Therm^® is not like other ceramic coatings that yield a very rough finish do to their raw ceramics compounds. Super Therm^® is manufactured with four different types of ceramics which are a perfect micron size, the formula is protected but you should know that the finish will be smooth and latex like with a lusciously rich surface finish.

The US Department of Energy DOE have successfully conducted 3 independent tests with Super Therm® stating the coating produces a 20-50% energy reduction! Independent tests have proven Super Therm^® outlasts competitors and their reflective coatings. Which is why it’s part of the Energy Star Program.

Q: Can Super Therm^® be applied to metal? Wood? Other surfaces?

Super Therm^® can be applied to a variety of surfaces on its own or with Super Base (HS) or SP Primer as a base coat for sealing. Surfaces include:

• Aged or Peppered Steel and Aluminum – apply directly
• Wood – prime with Super Base (HS)
• Rusty surfaces – prime with Rust Grip^®
• Very dark surfaces – prime with Super Base (HS)
• Tar – prime with Super Base (HS)
• Polyurethane foam – prime with Super Base (HS)
• Concrete – prime with Rust Grip^® or Super Base (HS).
• Wet surfaces – apply top coat of Enamo Grip or SP Seal Coat

Q: How is it applied?

You can use a brush, roller, or an airless sprayer with a pressure of 3500psi. In order to achieve the recommended thermal barrier, Super Therm® needs to be applied 425 microns wet and dries to 250 microns. With a brush or roller you will need to apply 2 coats and with airless a 50% overlap should achieve the required thickness. Use a wet film gauge if unsure.

Q: How long before I see results?

Instantly. In fact you will feel the difference immediately on application of Super Therm^® as the structure will cool! It has proven to remain efficient with minimal deterioration of the coating 30 years later.

Q: What is the maximum temperature that Super Therm^® can withstand?

160°C continuously. If you need higher temperature protection see our HSC® Coating and for fire protection up to three hours our Omega Fire coating is the only coating to have passed ASTM E119 for three hours.

Q: Can I paint a Car / Bus / Boat / Motor Home / Caravan / My Pet Shelter ?

Yes you can. Make sure you let us know how you plan to use it and we can better guide you. For complete protection apply our epoxy coating Enamo Grip for gloss, dirt resistance and protection.

Q: Is rainwater safe with Super Therm^® applied?

Yes you can use the rainwater caught from roofs covered with Super Therm^®. We recommend that you disconnect any down pipes before application of the coating in the event that rain occurs. Let the first flush go down the drain and connect your pipes after 5 days after application. The VOC of Super Therm^® is 67 grams/litre making it safe according to Australian Standards.

Q: In what colours does Super Therm^® come?

Super Therm^® comes in egg shell white, it can be tinted with water base dies to light colours by your local paint store. The cost to do this is minimum and you will have the local swatches to select the colours of your choice however there is a reduction in efficiency of the solar heat block coating. The darker colours can cause a reduction in performance depending upon colour and environment. Super Therm® can be tinted to some Colorbond® colours.

Q: Where and how can I order?

If you are ready to start reaping the rewards, be more comfortable, be environmentally conscious. Contact NEOtech Coatings Australia to get a quote, or place your order.

The above information aims to support an effective management decision on the benefits of using Super Therm^® as the primary solar heat block coating and proven thermal barrier and cool roofing option.