The colors of efficiency - to what extent?

Dee67 · 08-03-2008, 03:37 PM

Clearly, using black/white on the exterior of the home has an effect on the temperature. Nice, white backed drapes repel sun/heat and help keep you cooler for less money.

To what extent or down to what level does this hold true?

If I had a black freezer and refrigerator and a white oven would it be less efficient than the opposite colored appliance of the same kind?

purplefdu · 08-03-2008, 04:03 PM

With both you need to look at the inside as well as the outside. While drapes and such can help with openings that generally lose heat such as windows, there aren't really the same issues with appliances. With appliances you are going to look at colors that reflect or absorb heat and the gaskets that protect the openings.

Mary Webber · 08-04-2008, 03:10 AM

What an intriguing question! While it makes sense to me that clothing, drapes etc. are dark to attract/hold heat or light to reflect/deflect heat, I can't imagine that it would make any difference on something like a freezer, etc. Of course whites always been a favorite color for kitchen appliances to symbolize cleanliness, etc. I love the psychology of colors, don't you!

gt0163c · 08-04-2008, 05:49 AM

They key to remember here is that, in terms of heat efficiency, is that color only makes a difference when you're talking about energy from visible light. So the color of the inside of your refrigerator or freezer won't really make a difference, as it's not exposed to visible light for a significant time.
The inside of your oven is slightly more important, especially if there is a window in the door. But it's still not a large contributor.
As for the outside color of these appliances, it will probably be dependent upon the type and amount of lighting in your kitchen. If your refrigerator and/or freezer are positioned such that light from a window hits them, the exterior color will make more of a difference than if they are shaded from exterior light. And, while I'm not certain, I have a feeling that flourescent vs incandescent lighting in the kitchen might make a bit of a difference due to the different wavelengths of the light with incandescent being more of a contributor to the radiant energy than flourescent. But, even given that, I don't think the color of these appliances will make a significant difference as they are both well insulated (or should be).

jdp · 09-23-2008, 04:52 AM

Oh and for the love of pete, if you are setting up a kitchen think twice before locating the fridge right next to the stove....THREE houses I've rented now thats the set up....makes NO sense to me. The last the fridge was directly next to the heating vent too. Yoi.

kav122 · 09-23-2008, 09:46 AM

it is also not good feng shui to have your stove and refrigerator right next to each other.

lucille · 09-23-2008, 11:50 AM

Guess where our fridge is???
Well there is a small cupboard between the fridge and the stove but it still seems counterproductive since the stove puts off so much heat.

Color matters when your talking about solar heat absorption.

08-03-2008, 03:37 PM	#1
Dee67 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New England Posts: 3 Reputation: (15)	The colors of efficiency - to what extent? Clearly, using black/white on the exterior of the home has an effect on the temperature. Nice, white backed drapes repel sun/heat and help keep you cooler for less money. To what extent or down to what level does this hold true? If I had a black freezer and refrigerator and a white oven would it be less efficient than the opposite colored appliance of the same kind?

08-03-2008, 04:03 PM	#2
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eliot, ME USA Posts: 538 Reputation: (27)	With both you need to look at the inside as well as the outside. While drapes and such can help with openings that generally lose heat such as windows, there aren't really the same issues with appliances. With appliances you are going to look at colors that reflect or absorb heat and the gaskets that protect the openings. __________________ Homeward Bound Puppy Blog&Personal Blog best general coupon site & organic grocery coupon help

08-04-2008, 03:10 AM	#3
Mary Webber Family Thrift Counselor Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 145 Reputation: (27)	What an intriguing question! While it makes sense to me that clothing, drapes etc. are dark to attract/hold heat or light to reflect/deflect heat, I can't imagine that it would make any difference on something like a freezer, etc. Of course whites always been a favorite color for kitchen appliances to symbolize cleanliness, etc. I love the psychology of colors, don't you! __________________ Family Thrift Counselor - Get practical advice on how to save money and eat better.

09-23-2008, 11:50 AM	#7
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 511 Reputation: (33)	Guess where our fridge is??? Well there is a small cupboard between the fridge and the stove but it still seems counterproductive since the stove puts off so much heat. Color matters when your talking about solar heat absorption. __________________ Dark Style Blog http://darkstyleblog.blogspot.com/

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08-04-2008, 05:49 AM	#4
gt0163c Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 250 Reputation: (33)	They key to remember here is that, in terms of heat efficiency, is that color only makes a difference when you're talking about energy from visible light. So the color of the inside of your refrigerator or freezer won't really make a difference, as it's not exposed to visible light for a significant time. The inside of your oven is slightly more important, especially if there is a window in the door. But it's still not a large contributor. As for the outside color of these appliances, it will probably be dependent upon the type and amount of lighting in your kitchen. If your refrigerator and/or freezer are positioned such that light from a window hits them, the exterior color will make more of a difference than if they are shaded from exterior light. And, while I'm not certain, I have a feeling that flourescent vs incandescent lighting in the kitchen might make a bit of a difference due to the different wavelengths of the light with incandescent being more of a contributor to the radiant energy than flourescent. But, even given that, I don't think the color of these appliances will make a significant difference as they are both well insulated (or should be).

09-23-2008, 04:52 AM	#5
jdp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 205 Reputation: (24)	Oh and for the love of pete, if you are setting up a kitchen think twice before locating the fridge right next to the stove....THREE houses I've rented now thats the set up....makes NO sense to me. The last the fridge was directly next to the heating vent too. Yoi.

09-23-2008, 09:46 AM	#6
kav122 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 510 Reputation: (238)	it is also not good feng shui to have your stove and refrigerator right next to each other.