"notbob" > wrote in message
. ..
> On 2006-09-19, Mike Smith > wrote:
>
> > That doesn't strike me as being particularly "optimal". But then again,
> > neither does living in 110-degree weather.
>
> I guess I meant in the sense of optimum design parameters. IOW,
> designed to do the minimum required job within the constraints of the
> overall vehicle, such as power, size, load, etc. I have no doubt the
> air conditioning power for my car would be adequate for all but one
> situation: a black exterior, which mine has. That color just absorbs
> too much radiant heat and overwhelms the AC. I'm sure it would work
> just fine in a white car. As for the weather, that's not too bad.
> It's those occasional 115 deg days that kill. I could bake bread in
> my car. True story: I once left a sixpack of 7UP in the back on a
> 100+ deg day. Every can blew and the spray turned black against the
> cream colored liner.
>
> nb
I painted my house black with the idea of saving on heating bills. I live
in sunny but cold Colorado. It didn't work. The black paint apparently
radiates more than it absorbs, and melts most of the snow in my yard.

Earle