If a refrigerator is used outdoors, in the summer. The condensor on the back, is black tubing. As we know, black absorbs heat from the sun shine, which makes the compressor work harder.
Of course, that condensor can be painted. Which color paint is coolest in summer, and works best to release the heat from the refrigerator? White, or silver?
Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus
I'd vote for silver. The more it reflects the better. But why is a fridge so exposed and so oriented outside that it's even an issue? If it's that exposed I would think there could be issues aside from the sun thing, which is probably minor.
If a refrigerator is used outdoors, in the summer. The condensor on the back, is black tubing. As we know, black absorbs heat from the sun shine, which makes the compressor work harder.
Of course, that condensor can be painted. Which color paint is coolest in summer, and works best to release the heat from the refrigerator? White, or silver?
Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus
What ever turns you on Chris. WW .
Temporary set up, for a camp that's only used during the summer.
One vote, silver.
Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus
I'd vote for silver. The more it reflects the better. But why is a fridge so exposed and so oriented outside that it's even an issue? If it's that exposed I would think there could be issues aside from the sun thing, which is probably minor.
Silver is a color of value, over the years. If you go to a fortune teller, she wants you to cross her palm with silver. On the other hand, white symbolizes purity. I need a few more votes.
Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus
What ever turns you on Chris. WW .
"Stormin Mormon" wrote in news:rWbgs.241$ snipped-for-privacy@fed10.iad:
The condensor is black because black radiates heat better. To make it functioning that way, put an awning of some kind over the fridge to keep solar radiation off of it. White or silver doesn't make a difference, as long as it is as opaque as can be. In addition, rig a small fan up so there is additional cooling when the fridge is in cooling mode.
If something is black, it will absorbe the most heat, it will also radiate the most heat. It depends on if the air around the object is hotter or colder than the object. As you move to white or silver, this abosrbs and also gives off the least heat.
Being in or out of the sun has nothing to do with this. However if something is in the sun and not shaded from it, the sun will cause black to heat up faster than the silver or white from the rays of the sun.
Condensers and radiators are black for a reason. The darker object emits/loses heat more efficiently. It also absorbs heat better but when the source of heat is gone, heat will be released quicker. In science class, teachers have been demonstrating the effect to students for many years. In your case, I would leave the condenser black and find a way to shade it from direct sunlight with something painted in a light color. ^_^
Actually black "releases" heat better than other colors! (In addition to absorbing heat better.)
Ah, that makes as much sense as anything. Thanks.
Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus
Condensers and radiators are black for a reason. The darker object emits/loses heat more efficiently. It also absorbs heat better but when the source of heat is gone, heat will be released quicker. In science class, teachers have been demonstrating the effect to students for many years. In your case, I would leave the condenser black and find a way to shade it from direct sunlight with something painted in a light color. ^_^
Far as I know, these are only used summer time, outdoors. Still, it give me cause to think.
Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus
Actually black "releases" heat better than other colors! (In addition to absorbing heat better.)
"Black" in the visible range doesn't matter much at the far infrared wavelengths the refrigerator will be operating at. It matters some in direct sunlight because there is a significant component of sunlight in the visible range (duh!). My point is that its "color" in visible light doesn't mean a lot. The emissivity at the operating point matters.
Again, color doesn't matter, as far as the operation of the refrigerator, itself. If the object is to reflect visible sunlight, white is better.
An argument could be made that a specific type of silver paint, that with a high zinc content common in "cold galvanizing" types, might be a good choice because the zInc may be more conductive to heat transfer than an additional layer of regular paint.
Jon
I could be wrong but the purpose of the coils is to dispel heat from the compression. Paint them and they will do so less well. The possible exception would be if they got hotter than the ambient temperature.
IOW, I wouldn't paint, might make some shade if they got a lot of sun.
gold. there's a reason the visors of astronauts are coated with a thin layer of gold
Refrigerators & freezers should always be housed indoors, and even then positively shielded from heat sources and direct solar radiation. (Meaning zero direct sunlight.)
Bet you a buck if you read your refrigeration equipment manual, you'll find these environmental requirements stated within.
Yes, as others have noted, black is by far the most efficient color far as heat radiation goes... ever notice how condensers always come from the factory painted black? Keeping the condenser free of dust/spooge, and insuring free air circulation around it is a great long term energy saving measure
Erik
Yes, and sounds reasonable.
Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus
I could be wrong but the purpose of the coils is to dispel heat from the compression. Paint them and they will do so less well. The possible exception would be if they got hotter than the ambient temperature.
IOW, I wouldn't paint, might make some shade if they got a lot of sun.
I agree, indoors, climate control, and so on. In this case, that's not gonna happen.
Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus
Refrigerators & freezers should always be housed indoors, and even then positively shielded from heat sources and direct solar radiation. (Meaning zero direct sunlight.)
Bet you a buck if you read your refrigeration equipment manual, you'll find these environmental requirements stated within.
Yes, as others have noted, black is by far the most efficient color far as heat radiation goes... ever notice how condensers always come from the factory painted black? Keeping the condenser free of dust/spooge, and insuring free air circulation around it is a great long term energy saving measure
Erik
If they are not hotter than the ambient temperature, they will not disple heat, but they will absorbe the heat and try to carry more heat back to the unit. The opposite of what is wanted.
Paint will tend to act as an insulation of sorts. You can anadosie the aluminum black and that should not make it act like insulation. That is often done for electronic equipment heat sinks to make them work beter.
That depends on the purpose. If it's to reflect sunlight, no, conduction doesn't matter (could make even the situation worse). Anyway, the point is that "white" is whiter than silver. White paint my have higher emissivity than a mirror.
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