Save Electicity by painting your walls white

[oilyriser]

That's what I did. The natural daylight travels deeper, and lasts a bit longer every evening, so I don't need to switch on my 23W CF light bulb quite so soon. And the light from the bulb goes further, too.

In California I saw all the school buses were painted white on top, probably to keep cool. Has anyone done this to their car, so they could have a few extra days each year without needing to run the a/c?

 

[Al]

I dislike black cars bc of this. A/C required is huge.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Al
I dislike black cars bc of this. A/C required is huge.

I don't use the A/C at all, so it doesn't matter to me.

Light colored interiors stain too easily.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Uh oh. My Vue is black.

 

[Tosh]

Wouldn't silver be better than white? In the early 70s, my parents wallpapered one wall with aluminum foil. Maybe this millenium's equivalent is projector screen wall paint.

 

[oilyriser]

Foil would reflect light pretty well, but if the sun shines, watch out. On a roof, foil is actually very good at warming up, even though it doesn't absorb much.

bright sun shining on a white wall can be blinding, so you might have to close the shades more often

 

[Cory]

Even better would be some white insulative paint. I believe it was invented by NASA but I cannot remember the R-value added?

 

[AcuraTech]

I guess that makes sense, but white walls are so blah.

 

[Kestas]

I picked light-colored shingles when I reroofed. It keeps the house cooler in the summer, and the shingles last longer because of less day/night thermal cycling.

My interior has colors and wall paper. It makes for a cozy environment in the winter. Cloth drapery on every window.

 

[Tosh]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
...the shingles last longer because of less day/night thermal cycling.

I had never thought of that. Do you have numbers to back up this claim, or is it intuition?

 

[oilyriser]

Chunks of zinc on the peaks of the roof should prevent algae growth that can stain white shingles. Copper works, too. Lead probably, too.

 

[Jett Rink]

Originally Posted By: Tosh
In the early 70s, my parents wallpapered one wall with aluminum foil.


No matter what energy costs it might save, this idea would definitely not go over too well with Mrs. Jett Rink.

Wallpaper a room with aluminum foil?? No BITOGer seriously considering this idea is married, I'd wager.

For the sake of science, I'm going to bring up this aluminum foil idea tonight over dinner, just to see what happens.

 

[oilyriser]

it keeps the annoying cellphone calls at bay

 

[eljefino]

If one lives in the chilly north, painting a wall facing a south-facing window dark will help heat the place.

Close the curtains during the month of summer.

 

[Turk]

If most people painted their walls white:

- You'll increase the amount of fuel consumed because you'll have to drive to the store to get it.

- You'll increase the amount of energy used overall because the plants that make the paint will need to run more.

- You'll increase the amount of fuel consumed because the workers who create the paint & accessories would have to drive there on weekends to work the overtime to make all of that paint.

I had my walls white for 10 years and painted most of them darker and I did not change my lightbulbs. Same bulbs, same wattage used.

 

[mechtech2]

If you have to repaint, it will be a LONG time before you get a net gain.

 

[twentynine]

Ever since I was abducted by aliens I have enjoy having my walls covered with tinfoil. It keeps the aliens from being able to mind link with me.

 

[oilyriser]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher

I had my walls white for 10 years and painted most of them darker and I did not change my lightbulbs. Same bulbs, same wattage used.

That would mean your bulbs were originally larger than they needed to be.

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: Tosh
Originally Posted By: Kestas
...the shingles last longer because of less day/night thermal cycling.

I had never thought of that. Do you have numbers to back up this claim, or is it intuition?

I cited a library book.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: twentynine
Ever since I was abducted by aliens I have enjoy having my walls covered with tinfoil. It keeps the aliens from being able to mind link with me.


Add a layer of newspaper, and another of foil, and you've made yourself an orgone box.

http://www.orgonics.com/humorac.htm