Try a Low-Emissivity Paint
Fiberglass batts, double-paned windows and foam-core doors aren't the only things that can help keep heat where you want it. A new product called low-e paint can help block heat transfer through your walls.
How it works
"Low-e" is shorthand for low emissivity. This terminology is usually used with high-efficiency windows - it means the heat gain or loss through a material or substance. A low-e window coating or wall paint will block heat from traveling from inside to outside - or vice-versa.
Most low-e paints use microscopic, hollow ceramic beads. When the paint dries, these beads band together to create a barrier that air particles cannot pass through. A less-common formula uses aluminum particles instead of ceramic.
In addition to preventing heat from passing through, low-e paint can also reflect heat back into the room.
The benefits
Manufacturers claim homes with low-e paint can have energy bills five to 15 percent less than typical homes. The energy savings is more apparent in older homes in colder climates.
The energy savings comes from setting back the thermostat - studies have shown that occupants can lower the temperature two degrees or more in a room with low-e paint and still have the same level of comfort.
Most low-e paints come in water-based acrylic or latex formulas, making them easy to apply, easy to clean and safer for the environment.
The cost of low-e paint is comparable to major-brand "premium" paints, and it usually comes with warranties for durability and washability.
The drawbacks
Because of the ceramic particles, low-e paint is much thicker than regular paint, so you'll need more of it to cover the same amount of wall.
It's also more difficult to find - you'll likely have to purchase it from a specialty paint dealer rather than your home center or hardware stores.
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