Why do most RV manufactures choose Black A/C shrouds?

[RV2600RB]

FWIW, black radiates heat better than white. Now whether trailer builders do it for that reason, I don't know.

You ever sit under a black awning in 100* plus sunlight? I think you would change your mind.
Rich

 

[jkwilson]

I’ve wondered about that as well. Also, why use black awnings and hand rails? That stuff gets REALLY hot in the AZ sun.
I replaced the door handle with a white one. And the propane tank cover as well. Going to do the A/C shroud also. Want to do the awning but not sure if I can do it myself.
Rich

May want to read some of the answers. Black plastic air conditioner covers are no hotter than white covers and are probably cooler. White plastics are also more affected by UV than black plastics.

 

[redfernclan]

How about white covers show the mildew and dirt, black covers not so much.
Same reason I put black gutters on my house. I blow them out with the leaf blower and you cant see all the goo running down the side. No more scrubbing them once a year.

 

[RV2600RB]

May want to read some of the answers. Black plastic air conditioner covers are no hotter than white covers and are probably cooler. White plastics are also more affected by UV than black plastics.

I don’t buy that for an instant. My black plastics have always degraded faster than light colored plastics in the sunlight. Also, see my question about the black awning. I don’t buy the black is better thing. Black absorbs heat, not the opposite. Just touch a black hand rail and white hand rail after baking in 100* plus sunlight.
Rich

 

[RV2600RB]

How about white covers show the mildew and dirt, black covers not so much.
Same reason I put black gutters on my house. I blow them out with the leaf blower and you cant see all the goo running down the side. No more scrubbing them once a year.

I don’t have that problem.
Rich

 

[RV2600RB]

May want to read some of the answers. Black plastic air conditioner covers are no hotter than white covers and are probably cooler. White plastics are also more affected by UV than black plastics.

Disagree. Not everything on the internet is gaspel.
Rich

 

[RV2600RB]

How about white covers show the mildew and dirt, black covers not so much.
Same reason I put black gutters on my house. I blow them out with the leaf blower and you cant see all the goo running down the side. No more scrubbing them once a year.

That really doesn’t have anything to do with thermal properties.
Rich

 

[RV2600RB]

Outside of any performance issues which not sure if there are any with black colored ones over white .... IMO, compared to white, which we have had in the past, the black ones look cosmetically better over time when it comes to oak dust and dirt buildup here in the midwest. Our old Jayco TT which had the white ones always had to be cleaned due to the constant dirty look they would get similar to the roof. Dont think we have ever cleaned our black ones on our 2019 295RL since new and they still look exceptionally good.

Besides, dont AC compressors raise the boiling point up of the refridgerant prior to being condenced anyways? Seems like black hoods would certainly help with that. From web:

"The compressor raises the boiling point of the refrigerant so that when it gets into the condenser, the heat is given off to the cooling water instead of absorbing heat from the cooling water. "

Cooling water?
Rich

 

[RV2600RB]

In our case..... less heated air - same principle.

Huh?
Rich

 

[ajg617]

You ever sit under a black awning in 100* plus sunlight? I think you would change your mind.
Rich

Actually yes. Dry 106F in South Dakota and Wyoming in bright sun. Went inside with the AC on

 

[huntindog]

I’ve wondered about that as well. Also, why use black awnings and hand rails? That stuff gets REALLY hot in the AZ sun.
I replaced the door grab handle with a white one. And the propane tank cover as well. Going to do the A/C shroud also. Want to do the awning but not sure if I can do it myself.
Rich

There can be some benefit to black propane covers. In cold weather sometimes the propane will not flow properly.
My 5ver has no covers, as the tanks are in compartments. I bought some tank heaters to fix the flow issue

 

[Hoopy Frood]

You ever sit under a black awning in 100* plus sunlight? I think you would change your mind.
Rich

It's not my opinion, it's a fact, so there's no "change my mind". But black also absorbs heat better, so obviously some applications would indicate a different color would work better.

 

[Second Chance]

The pigments used in black plastics block UV rays better and slow down the deterioration of the plastic compared to white or light colors.

Rob

 

[jkwilson]

Disagree. Not everything on the internet is gaspel.
Rich

Laws of physics apply everywhere, whether you agree or not. Black materials radiate heat far better than lighter colors. Since the primary heat source is within the shroud, radiation is the key property of the material.

 

[RV2600RB]

Actually yes. Dry 106F in South Dakota and Wyoming in bright sun. Went inside with the AC on

I prefer to be outside so I’ll be changing my awning to a sand colored woven acrylic.
Rich