Tuesday, August 6, 2013

What Color Should An Area Be Colored In Order To Save Energy

With today's green revolution in nearly every aspect of life, it is no wonder that energy-efficient interior design is becoming one of the most popular ways to arrange and decorate a room. A modern version of feng shui, energy-efficient interior design can do much to cut the cost of your bills and improve the feel of a room using simply physics and direction.


Facts


We've all heard the fashion warning not to wear white past Labor Day but the warning has less to do with style and more to do with physics. Once Labor Day rolls around, fall is setting in. We stop wearing white and make the switch to darker colors because dark colors absorb light. Light is a form of energy and wherever there is energy, there is heat. So wearing dark colors will generally keep you warmer. In the summer, we wear lighter, brighter colors because lighter colors reflect light or bounce the energy back. The same rule applies for your room.


The Feel of Color


There are warm colors and cooler colors. The warmer colors generally are reds, yellows and oranges.The cooler colors ard blues, purples and greens. Earthier colors tend to be warmer while more unnatural colors will be cooler. But it also depends on the brightness of each color. A light yellow will reflect more heat while a dark blue will absorb heat even though yellow is considered a warm color and blue a cold color.


Colors for Warmer Areas


If you live in a warmer area, such as Texas or Florida, you'll want to paint in lighter, cooler colors such as light blues or greens. Light warm colors can be added in as well, as long as no heavy, dark colors are used.


Colors for Cooler Areas


If you live in a colder area, such as Maine or Alaska, you'll want to paint in warmer colors. Reds, browns, oranges and yellows with dark accents are best for these areas. Darker colors are OK as long as they are only used as accents. A dark color used on a small wall will shrink the room, making it look smaller and more cramped than it actually is.


Other Factors


Obviously all areas undergo the changing of the seasons, making colors that work in summer completely useless in the winter. The best way to compensate for this is to note where your windows are and which side of the house the room is on. A room with a lot of windows will always be warmer because more sunlight will be coming in. Be sure to consider the sunlight and the general temperature of the seasons before deciding on colors. Also, if you have a west or east room, these rooms will naturally be receiving more heat from the sun each day. Keep in mind that these rooms will always be warmer as well, and paint accordingly.









Related posts



    Home decorators are often counseled to avoid dark colors in rooms, chiefly because dark colors are thought to be "robbers" of light. But that is not always the case. In some instances, t...
    White leather couches offer versatility in your paint choice.Placing a white leather sofa in a living room, den or family room gives the designer a virtual blank canvas when deciding on a paint co...
    Bright blues and textured paints can make the room seem larger.Most people tend to think that lighter colors make a room look larger. However, many designers suggest paint ideas that are just the...
    Paint can be bold and obtrusive, or it can be dramatic and inspiring.Painting is the best way to bring life and vitality to a living room. Home decor can be refreshed with the rewarding and simple...
    Refreshing green in a living roomYour living room is probably the room you spend most of your time in when you are at home. When it comes time to decide what color to paint your living room, you w...