Black houses have become increasingly popular, whether for aesthetic appeal or energy efficiency. But do they get hotter?
What temperature you experience depends on where you live and the way black windows paint absorbs and reflects light. A black house will likely get hotter than one that’s white, as white houses reflect more solar radiation from the sun.
1. Black absorbs heat
A black surface absorbs all light it reflects, turning it into heat that can be transferred to the environment and make it warmer and cozier for people.
Another factor influencing heat absorption and emission is the material of a surface. Shiny materials absorb more light than matte ones, while darker hues absorb more heat than lighter ones.
Dark-colored clothing and shirts tend to be more popular during colder months, while lighter hues are preferred during summer. When temperatures drop in wintertime, people seek ways to stay warm by wearing heavier fabrics that retain heat better.
In the summertime, people prefer not to sweat and opt for lighter-colored clothing. This is because lighter fabrics absorb less light, thus producing fewer heat waves.
To understand why some colors absorb more light than others, we must first comprehend how color works. Each hue in the rainbow contains different amounts of energy.
Red is hotter than violet due to its longer wavelength.
This implies that when light hits a red object, more energy is absorbed than when it hits a violet one. Therefore, the red object will appear warmer than its violet counterpart due to having absorbed more of the illumination.
White, on the other hand, absorbs little to no light and thus cools more efficiently than its darker counterpart.
The amount of light that an object absorbs is known as its albedo. The higher the albedo, the more light is absorbed and less of it reflected back to the surface.
When exposed to direct sunlight with two cards – black and white – the darker side will heat up first. This is because black absorbs more light and thus releases more radiation than its lighter counterpart.
2. Black reflects heat
Your mother may have told you not to wear black when the weather is hot, as black absorbs heat. But is this really true or just an old wives’ tale?
No matter the color, it’s essential to comprehend how black works. If you’ve ever had to wear a black shirt in the summertime, you know how quickly that shirt can make you feel uncomfortable and hot.
Black absorbs all colors on the spectrum, turning that light energy into heat. Conversely, white reflects all colors of the spectrum without absorbing any of it.
Once light energy is absorbed, it cannot be reemitted back into the environment and transforms into heat. The darker the color, the greater amount of heat will be absorbed.
Why does black become hotter than white? The answer lies within the science of light and heat transfer.
Albedo, or reflectance, of a material is measured. Zero percent albedo indicates complete absorption of light while 100 percent albedo means it completely reflects all light.
Clothing Tip: Light-colored clothes reflect the sun’s rays and keep you cooler, while dark-colored garments don’t possess such great reflectivity and will trap heat from the sun, making you much hotter.
Wearing light-colored clothing during the summertime is recommended; conversely, thicker and darker garments are preferred during winter.
Make your clothes cooler by adding some cool colors like Ultramarine Blue and halo Green. For an even cooler look, add some colored eyeshadow or don a pair of sunglasses!
But why does a black shirt or sweater get so hot? That is an enigmatic question that requires further investigation.
Most likely, black absorbs all wavelengths of light. This explains why it appears so black.
Furthermore, black absorbs infrared radiation which is less visible than the visible spectrum. Any heat emitted by your skin as a result of this absorption can be felt as an uncomfortable heat sensation.
3. Black fades quickly
Black dye fades much more rapidly than other hair colors, usually starting to show signs of fading after four or five weeks of application.
This fade process is mainly caused by the color molecules being stripped off your strands after each wash. To minimize its impact, take certain precautions when washing your hair.
First and foremost, use a shampoo specifically designed for colored hair. This will keep your locks hydrated and prevent the black hair dye from fading too rapidly. Furthermore, avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or harsh environmental conditions that could accelerate fading.
Another way to slow the fading process is by using a colour-catcher sheet. These sheets trap any extra dye and prevent it from running during the wash cycle.
Apply a hair mask to keep your locks hydrated and prevent the color from fading too rapidly. To extend the longevity of your black hair dye job even further, use conditioner after the dye job has been completed.
Additionally, it is best to avoid overexposing your black hair to sunlight or other harsh environmental elements that can speed up fading. Doing this will help maintain the color pigments in your locks and give you a fresh and vibrant look for longer.
As an added bonus, using black hair dye on a regular basis can actually extend its shelf life. With proper care and maintenance, it may last up to four or six weeks before needing replenishment.
However, it’s possible that your black hair dye may start to fade after 28 shampoos if your locks have become porous due to frequent bleaching or chemical treatments, since their raised cuticles won’t allow the pigment molecules to stay inside the cortex of your locks.
Additionally, porous hair makes it more vulnerable for black hair dye to get sucked out of its pores when you wash. That is why selecting quality black hair dye that won’t suck out strands is so important; you’ll maintain a fresh and vibrant look for longer.
4. Black absorbs UV rays
You may have heard that wearing black on a hot day makes you even hotter, and this is actually true!
Black absorbs all wavelengths of light while reflecting none, converting the energy from those waves into heat. That is why you feel hot when wearing black clothes rather than white clothing.
As you may be aware, the electromagnetic spectrum consists of radio waves, microwaves, infrared (IR) and visible light as well as X-rays and ultraviolet rays. Not only are these rays damaging to skin but they can also damage atoms within your body.
UV rays can cause ionization, a process in which electrons jump to a higher energy level and break chemical bonds. While this is beneficial in chemical processing, it can have serious adverse effects on human tissue and skin.
UV rays can be particularly hazardous to your eyes and skin, leading to cataracts and sunburn. To protect yourself from this, opt for clothing that blocks UV rays.
Darker colors tend to absorb more UV rays than light ones, so a dark red shirt will provide greater protection than a pale yellow one. Synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon also offer greater UV protection than cotton does.
Many substances absorb UV rays, such as dyes and pigments. Pigments like Cat-a-Lac and Day-Glo can fluoresce in the visible range when exposed to sunlight, making them perfect for safety vests and other apparel that requires visibility.
Another substance that absorbs UV rays are certain metals and minerals. When exposed to the sun’s rays, these materials often oxidize, producing hazardous metals.
Similar to UV rays, some chemicals absorb them and re-emit them at visible wavelengths when heated. These materials can be found in products such as paints and dyes that must be visible under sunlight for visibility purposes.
In direct sunlight, a black poster may appear to be reflective; however, it would be impossible to tell whether or not it has absorbed UV rays. This phenomenon is known as spectral fluorescence and should be taken into consideration when selecting clothing that will shield your skin from these rays.
