Choosing the exterior color of your home is one of the toughest decisions. Besides aesthetics, did you know the paint shade or material of your home can affect the amount of heat that comes through the walls? Read on to learn how your house color affects home energy efficiency.
Exterior
Darker exterior colors can absorb 70 to 90 percent of the sun’s energy, which is transferred into your home causing your AC to work harder. Having a light-colored exterior is your best option to maximize energy efficiency, especially if you live in a warmer area. The best colors for your home are white, light grey, beige, or other light-neutral colors. While neutral shades have a universal appeal and allow for a variety of complimentary roof colors, white will save you the most in the end, gaining 35 percent less heat than darker exterior colors such as black.
Don’t want to maintain the paint on your siding? There are a variety of fade-resistant vinyl sidings that come in many colors and designs.
Roof
Today, it's more common to use white or reflective roof coatings to keep homes cooler. Just like your home's exterior color, having a light-colored roof is best for home energy efficiency. Instead of reflecting outwards, a darker colored roof will also absorb the heat. Colors such as white, medium grey, or a steel roof can reduce heat absorption by 30%.
Accent Colors
Having a lighter or neutral color exterior means you can save the darker colors for your exterior accents such as shutters, pipes, gutters, or window frames. Not only does it add character to your home, but it’s easy to touch-up or change in the future.
Switching up your house paint color is a great idea to save on your energy bills this summer, but don’t forget that annual maintenance on your HVAC system is essential for preventative maintenance and energy efficiency. For more questions, call 72 Degrees Comfort Company at 515-965-7272 or email us at office@72degrees.com.