Although most of these energy-savings paint costs about the same as other premium paints, they are applied thicker so you will use more. Most energy-saving paints use fine ceramic particles mixed in with the paint. It is the same material that NASA uses on the space shuttle tiles. I reluctantly tried their test of putting a layer of ceramic powder on my hand and then placing a lit propane torch on it. I was not burned.
Most particles used are microscopic hollow ceramic spheres.
They are produced under high temperature so that when they cool, a partial vacuum is created inside. In effect, they become millions of tiny Thermos bottles on your wall. Some paints also use platelets for additional ceramic coverage. The other technology uses microscopic aluminum particles encapsulated in infrared transparent binders. These particles, which cannot be seen in the paint, minimize radiant heat transfer.