Whether it is scorching hot or freezing cold, the weather and our environment can have a big impact our on energy usage and our pocketbooks. Everyday we are looking for ways to save money on the costs that are required to keep our homes cool and warm during those months throughout the year. Other than unplugging all of your appliances and spending money on energy efficient appliances for the home, there is another way that you can save money and cut energy costs in your home today. Choosing the right paint color throughout your home could end up saving you money and cutting your energy usage. You may ask well how is this going to save me money or what would be the right choice of paint color for my home that would accomplish this. Ways that may help you this season to cut those energy costs through paint color choices are light color applications for your walls and ceilings, light reflectance knowledge, and evaluating the amount of light within your space.
Energy Savings in Choosing the Right Paint Color
What type of colors will keep your home cooler or warmer?
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Understanding Color Interaction with Light
Having a general understanding of how color and light can either create more heat with your light source or possibly not enough heat for your space is a step in the right direction to cutting energy costs within your home. White naturally reflects light while black tends to absorb and attract heat. So it would make sense to lean towards a paint color for your walls or ceilings that would be on the lighter side for your home such as creams, light greys, or pale hues of other colors.
Add Dark colors for Furniture
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Lighter Color Choices
As you are shopping for a paint color for your home, lighter color walls can help produce energy savings for your home and are ideal for creating an electricity efficient home. Lighter colored walls are considered less heat absorbent, creating a cooler home in the summer months and cutting on air conditioning costs for the home. Since light colors on your walls do not absorb as much heat, it can be a blessing also in the winter months as it will take less effort for your home to become warm and stay warm.
Light Color Choices for Walls
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Evaluate the Sunlight to Artificial Light Ratio
Having too much light enter your home can cause the home to become warmer or colder depending on your choice of paint color as well as cause a possible glare on your walls. Even if you choose a lighter paint color for your walls, if you keep everything light with a lot of natural sunlight, it may create an unwanted glare within the space. Evaluating your current space for the amount of light that enters the home, whether sunlight or artificial lights, can play a role in pairing the right paint choice with your walls to save money on energy usage. Paint color choices and finishes may provide you with a nice balance in the space and savings all around if the light sources are being considered in the decision.
Sunlight & Artificial Lighting with the Right Balance
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As we all look for new ways to create energy savings every season, sometimes something as simple as changing our paint colors on our walls and ceilings can accomplish this and create an inviting and comfortable atmosphere within your home. Next time you are shopping for a new paint color for your home, consider some lighter colors, evaluate your current light sources, and remember how color absorbs heat if darker while lighter colors reflect heat. Have fun with your choices in paint but keep in mind the potential energy savings you could accomplish!
For more color ideas on Stagetecture, click here.
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