In a different post the subject of PVC/plastic gourds being hotter than natural gourds came up. I don't understand how a white PVC/plastic gourd can get any hotter than a natural gourd. I would believe the opposite is true considering the PVC is a glossy/reflective white and the natural gourd is a dull off-white color. Some are closer to tan or biege that will absorb more heat than the glossy white PVC. Just my opinion.
Have any studies been done showing what is best? If not, can PMCA perform a test?
In 2009 in did some temp testing in plastic gourds. Nature Line and Troyer Horizontal . I had 4 remote sensors that would show the temp on my home weather station. I set an alarm to sound at 100 degrees and the horizontal gourds alarm went off with an outside temp of 85 degrees. The Nature Line gourds had then top vent down, but air can still escape out the top. The gourds had nesting material about the height the martins would fill them, but were not occupied .
So many factors could have caused the excessive heat build up. The gourd was not vented , I don't recall if it was facing southwest or northwest, and it was mounted under a Lonestar Alamo so it may have had the suns rays reflecting on it? I do remember that is was a very sunny day with very little humidity and almost no breeze. The day before was more humid and warmer, yet the alarms did not go off.
If not, can PMCA perform a test?