If I paint the ceilings silver will heat be reflect back?

[MitchT]

If I paint the ceilings silver will heat, which will otherwise be lost, be reflect back down into the rooms, thus making them warmer?

My OH thinks not. In fact she looked at me like I was committing an act of extreme spacktardery be even suggesting the idea... but I wonder what PHeads' collective scientific brains think?

[Sciroccology]

Yes, it will work. And, as a bonus, it will look really trendy.

Go for it.

[mybrainhurts]

Yes, paint it silver...

And paint the dog silver...

The heat will keep bouncing back and forth, reflectig off ceiling and dog, thus making the spread of heat more even...

Also try torching the carpet for a homely glow...


Edit...you'll have to keep the dog running round, or this won't work

Edited by mybrainhurts on Tuesday 27th January 17:22

[B17NNS]

Not sure about the thermal reflective properties of paint but lining them with tin foil would certainly have the desired effect.

Alternatively some insulation in the floor void above would probably be better.

[mas99]

only radiant heat surely?

draughtproofing and insulation are more effective.

[jmorgan]

Tin foil comes on handy rolls like wallpaper. Foil the ceiling?

[Bad-Gerbil]

reflects light as well as heat - double the benefit!

[Kaelic]

mybrainhurts said:

Yes, paint it silver...

And paint the dog silver...

The heat will keep bouncing back and forth, reflectig off ceiling and dog, thus making the spread of heat more even...

Also try torching the carpet for a homely glow...


Edit...you'll have to keep the dog running round, or this won't work

Edited by mybrainhurts on Tuesday 27th January 17:22

As it bounces about it will also cause friction which generates heat

your house will be nice and toasty!!

[Steamer]

...And to think, they all laughed at me when I decorated the whole house silver!!

...well whos nice and warm now!!?!

Edited by Steamer on Tuesday 27th January 17:29

[Dave^]

MitchT said:

If I paint the ceilings silver will heat, which will otherwise be lost, be reflect back down into the rooms, thus making them warmer?

My OH thinks not. In fact she looked at me like I was committing an act of extreme spacktardery be even suggesting the idea... but I wonder what PHeads' collective scientific brains think?

did you really expect sensible answers?

[scumbagjag]

mybrainhurts said:

Yes, paint it silver...

And paint the dog silver...

The heat will keep bouncing back and forth, reflectig off ceiling and dog, thus making the spread of heat more even...

Also try torching the carpet for a homely glow...


Edit...you'll have to keep the dog running round, or this won't work

Edited by mybrainhurts on Tuesday 27th January 17:22

If he paints the floor black it will absorb so much heat the dog will constantly run about trying to keep his paws from getting singed.

[MitchT]

Dave^ said:

did you really expect sensible answers?

Not really



ETA: I don't have a dog.

Edited by MitchT on Tuesday 27th January 17:30

[TWSTEEL]

Remembered from school physics - a loooooong time ago....
Leslie's cube (named after Sir John Leslie who experimented with radiant heat in 1804) consists of a cubical vessel with different sides - one of highly polished metal, another painted black, and the other two consisting of a dull metal (copper). When the cube is filled with boiling water, the radiation is greatest from the black side, and negligible from the shiny side.

Apparatus:

1. Leslie's cube
2. Bunsen burner
3. Retort stand and gauze
4. 2 liter beaker of water
5. Thermometer (optional)




Preparation: Check that the fluid in the two manometers is at the same level in all tubes. (Open the stopcocks.) Set out Leslie's cube apparatus on the lecture bench. Put the water on to boil so that it is ready when the lecturer performs the demonstration.

Operation: After checking the level of the liquid in the manometers, close both stopcocks. Allow the black side of the cube to face one enclosed bulb and the shiny side to face the other bulb. After the water has started to boil in the beaker, empty it into Leslie's cube. Ob serve the change in the manometer level adjacent to the black side, and the negligible change in the other manometer. The black side of Leslie's cube is a good radiator of heat energy, which is then absorbed by the black surface of the bulb, causing an increase in pressure. It is interesting to note that the greater a body radiates by virtue of its own temperature, the less it reflects. The shiny side makes a good mirror, but radiates poorly. On the other hand, the degree of radiation is an indication of the degree of absorption. Good radiators are good absorbers.

[V6]

New addition to the legendary threads?

Or first addition to the legendarily stupid threads?

[Stevorocket]

Look,just forget about the ceiling - ok?

Make yourself a tinfoil hat - you then keep the body heat in and keep the spacemen from reading your brainwaves.

Job done.

[SpydieNut]

forget the paint, just put mirrors all over the ceiling.

that'll reflect so much more than just heat.

[mybrainhurts]

MitchT said:

Dave^ said:

did you really expect sensible answers?

Not really



ETA: I don't have a dog.

Get a dog...

HTH...