Whether you’re an avid coupon clipper or can’t pass up a sale, everyone has their preferred way of saving money. However, new research suggests there’s a surprising way to save your hard-earned cash that you might not have considered—and all it takes is picking up a paintbrush. According to an Oct. 2020 study published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, using a specific type of white paint containing high levels of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) could help significantly lower your home cooling costs. Read on for the details, and for more ways to keep more cash in your wallet, check out The Best Way to Save Money While Shopping Online, According to Experts.
The new study reveals that surfaces painted with this type of white paint not only reflect 95.5 percent of sunlight, but can actually reduce surface temperatures by 35.06 degrees Fahrenheit during daylight hours, as well as keep surfaces cooler at night.
“This is a significant amount of cooling power that can offset the majority of the air conditioning needs for typical buildings,” explained study author Xiulin Ruan, PhD, a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University, according to the BBC.
“Your air conditioning kicks on mainly due to sunlight heating up the roof and walls and making the inside of your house feel warmer. This paint is basically creating free air conditioning by reflecting that sunlight and offsetting those heat gains,” added study co-author Joseph Peoples, a mechanical engineering PhD student at Purdue, in a statement.
That’s far from the only way a little paint can impact your finances, though—read on to discover which paint colors in your home could earn you some serious money. And for more great ways to spruce up your space, check out these 50 Amazing Home Upgrades for Under $50.
1
Paint your home’s exterior greige.
According to Zillow’s 2017 Paint Color Analysis, which studied 32,000 photos of homes that had sold, houses with exteriors painted greige—a color that combines gray and beige—fetched $3,496 more when sold than comparable houses in tan or brown. And for more ways to make your space more appealing, This One Thing Will Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal in Seconds, Experts Say.
2
Paint your bathroom blue.
Looking for an easy home upgrade that can earn you serious cash? Zillow found that blue bathrooms—running the gamut from soft periwinkle to light pale blue—earned sellers $5,440 more than anticipated.
3
And paint your kitchen blue, too.
Trying to decide on the perfect color for your kitchen? Try a blue shade on for size. Zillow’s research found that homes with blue kitchens sold for $1,809 more than anticipated. And for more great home design tips, sign up for our daily newsletter.
4
Paint your living room brown.
Instead of spending time and money wallpapering your living room, give it a coat of brown paint instead. According to Zillow, homes with light brown living rooms sold for $1,926 more than their anticipated sale price. And if you’re thinking of redoing your space, The Color of Your Bedroom Walls Could Be Ruining Your Sleep, Expert Warns.