You’ve tried everything to keep cool during the heat waves of summer — sipping ice water, taking cold showers, blasting your air conditioner 24/7, and sticking to the lower floors of your home. However, something you may not have considered is the role your home’s exterior plays in its indoor temperature and how thoughtful exterior painting can help cool your home and keep you comfortable all summer long.
Keep reading to learn how to harness the science of color and energy to beat the summer heat.
Understanding Light, Heat, and Energy
Before we get into the details of exterior painting, let’s explore the relationship between light, heat, color, and energy to help you understand how your home’s exterior can affect your indoor comfort.
Electromagnetic Radiation
The sun emits electromagnetic radiation, which is a form of energy. Much of the sun’s electromagnetic radiation that makes its way to us is in the visible light spectrum, which our brains perceive as all the colors of the rainbow.
When the sun’s rays reach an object here on earth — your home, for example — that energy doesn’t just disappear; it’s either absorbed by the object or reflected back into the atmosphere.
Reflection and Color
Depending on which electromagnetic frequencies an object reflects, it appears as a different color. For example, a blue object absorbs the frequencies that correspond to every color of the rainbow besides blue. The blue frequency is the only one it reflects, which is what we see when we look at the object, giving it its color. 
Absorption and Heat
The energy absorbed by the object is converted into heat, making the object warmer. This is why your lampshade feels warm to the touch after you’ve had the light on for a while and why certain lightbulbs heat up when you turn them on.
White Reflects Light
When all frequencies on the visible spectrum are combined, we perceive it as white. This principle is what makes white such a valuable color when it comes to cooling. Rather than absorbing light energy, white objects reflect most of the energy back into the atmosphere, which prevents them from converting light into heat.
The opposite happens with black objects. They absorb nearly all visible light, causing them to heat up much faster than white ones. Generally, the darker the color is, the more light energy it absorbs, and the lighter the color is, the more it reflects.
Applying These Principles to Your Home
So, what does the science of color have to do with keeping your home cool in the summertime? Think about it: If your home’s exterior is a lighter color, it won’t absorb as much energy, which means it won’t be as hot. This means you won’t have to run your air conditioner as much, saving you money on your utility bills and minimizing your carbon footprint.
The Role of Exterior Painting
While color isn’t the only factor that affects your home’s temperature, it’s a significant contributor. If your home’s exterior is a darker color, chances are, it’ll be hotter when the summer sun shines down.
If you’re looking for ways to cool down this summer, consider painting your home’s exterior a lighter color. Not only will it help you beat the heat, but it will also boost your curb appeal. In fact, light colors, especially white, have been one of the biggest home design trends of the past few years.
Leave It to the Professionals
While interior painting can often be accomplished by enthusiastic DIYers, exterior painting is typically best left to the professionals. Painting wood, siding, brick, and stucco is a lot more challenging than painting drywall and requires special tools, techniques, and expertise.
At Brush Brothers, our expert painters are trained in the most efficient and highest quality techniques, ensuring a long-lasting, professional finish. Our exterior painting jobs can withstand everything from sweltering sun to frigid snow to pouring rain, coming out the other side looking like new.
Keep Cool With Exterior Painting by Brush Brothers
If you’re ready to elevate your home’s appearance while keeping it cool, turn to the highly experienced team at Brush Brothers. We’re equipped with everything you need to transform your home into a more comfortable and attractive place. Contact us today to discuss your needs and learn what we can do for you.
