Exterior Color Choice and the Effect on Energy Efficiency

We learn in science that many factors can influence heating and cooling energy efficiency. If repainting is something you are considering this upcoming spring, for example, the choice of color can contribute to your household heat gain or loss. In warmer climates, the reduction of heat gain can be advantageous to the annual cooling cost, whereas in colder climates increasing heat gain is the goal.

Continue to read to make better-informed decisions about color selection when repainting your house, and how it can affect energy efficiency.

Dark Colors = More Heat 

A dark exterior color on your house will absorb 70 percent of radiant solar energy, allowing for the heat to accumulate in the structure of your house, and raising the overall indoor temperatures. This also means that after the sun goes down, it will take longer for the heat to dissipate from the house. To compensate for the excess heat and maintain consistent indoor temperatures, your A/C unit will run in longer cycles, therefore consuming more electricity and increasing your annual cooling costs per month. Wear and tear on your HVAC system can increase as heat gain goes up, meaning your A/C unit may need more repairs shortening the overall service of the system entirely. Therefore, a dark color scheme should only really be considered if the climate of where you live is cooler throughout the year than hot.

Light Colors = Lower Costs 

Colors that support improved energy for the exterior walls of your house include the following:

• Beige

• White

• Light Grey

• Lighter Neutral Colors

The listed colors above reflect radiant solar heat instead of absorbing it and holding onto it as dark colors do. Low annual monthly A/C costs and shorter ran cycles are related to reduced heat gain. The exterior color palette you settle on will impact the overall aesthetic of your home as well. It is thought that lighter colors produce a fresh, well-maintained ambiance whereas dark colors can make a home appear dated if lacking the proper accents to balance the dark. It should be noted that dark colors tend to fade more rapidly as well, a downside to the absorption of solar radiant heat, requiring more frequent repainting in the future.

Roof

According to Calgary Homes for Sale Expert Greg Kennedy, “Fun fact: 1/3 of a house’s unwanted heat enters through the roof. In order to boost the energy efficiency of your home even further, check out changing the color of your roof, as it is the one part of the house surely being affected by the direct beam of sunlight. Depending on the material, of course, this could be as simple as re-shingling. Like the method with the exterior paint, picking a light to medium shade for the roof can lower cooling costs significantly. Therefore, replacing that dark roof with another color can make a huge difference to you and your family.”

 In conclusion, when considering energy efficiency in your home, it is essential to consider all factors that contribute to heating and cooling costs, including the color of your walls. The color of your walls can have a significant impact on your household heat gain or loss, which can affect your annual energy expenses. As we move towards a more sustainable future, it is important to take into account all the ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and create energy-efficient homes. By choosing the right colors for our walls, we can play a small but significant role in reducing our impact on the environment while also saving money on energy costs.