In the past, people placed great importance on constructing designs that facilitated natural ventilation and cooling, such as pergolas, overhangs, porches, and large casements. However, with the advent of cooling devices, these age-old practices have been overlooked. While cooling devices provide an easy way to reduce the impact of hot summers, they are expensive and harmful to the environment. Therefore, it is important to adopt smart tricks and construction designs that can minimize their use. Although it may not be possible to completely eliminate the use of cooling devices, these tips and designs can help keep your house cool without relying on them.
1) Orientate for the Ideal Position
Orientation of an ideal building
An ideal place to reside is an abode that receives an optimum amount of heat and cold to keep winters warm and summers cool. To achieve this, it’s important to consider the sun’s path and prevailing wind patterns when orientating your house to make the most of natural sources of energy.
When constructing your house, one key consideration is to orientate the largest dimension of the house towards the north and south. This helps to avoid heavy solar exposure during summers, which can result in excessive heat inside the house. By facing the largest dimension towards north and south, you can maximize the benefits of natural shading and cooling from prevailing winds.
Another important aspect is the placement of windows. It’s ideal to have more windows facing south than east or west. This allows for better control of solar ingress and egress, as well as taking advantage of natural daylighting. Varying the size of windows is also crucial in controlling the amount of sunlight and heat that enters the house.
In conclusion, when designing and constructing a house, careful consideration of the sun’s path, prevailing wind patterns, and window placement can result in an abode that receives the optimal amount of heat and cold, making it comfortable to live in throughout the year.
2) Proper Insulation
Insulation plays an important role in hindering the transfer of heat between two mediums. By properly insulating key areas such as walls, windows, doors, ceilings, and lofts, the entry of heat during summers and cold during winters can be prevented. Bulk insulation and reflective foil insulation are the two main types of insulation methods available.
Bulk insulation is the most commonly used type of insulation, where still air is the primary insulating material trapped within the structure. This insulation method can be achieved using batts, boards, and blankets to create a barrier that slows down the transfer of heat. By trapping still air, the movement of heat between two mediums can be significantly reduced, making it an effective insulation method.
Reflective foil insulation is another type of insulation that uses a foil to reflect heat back into the same medium. This type of insulation is particularly effective in warmer climates as it reflects heat back outside, preventing it from entering the living space. The foil used in this type of insulation reflects up to 97% of the heat, which helps to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors even during hot weather conditions. Reflective foil insulation is an ideal choice for those who live in warmer regions and are looking for an effective insulation solution to keep their homes cool.
3) Design for Effective Cross Ventilation
Types of arrangements for effective Cross Ventilation
Cross ventilation is a highly effective system for keeping your house cool by facilitating a continuous circulation of air from one side of the house to the other. It is crucial to consider the direction of the prevailing winds when constructing a building in order to fully harness the advantages of cross ventilation. Careful attention should be given to the sizes of windows and doors, as they directly impact the extent of cross ventilation in the building. Properly designed window and door sizes can significantly enhance the effectiveness of cross ventilation in maintaining a comfortably cool indoor environment.
4) Application of Reflective Roof Coating
Reflective coatings in light colors can be applied to the roofs of buildings to prevent the entry of heat. The reflective surface works by reflecting the heat, similar to how ice and snow reflect UV rays instead of absorbing them. By using a light-colored coating on the roof, the building is able to stay cooler as the heat is not absorbed into the structure.
One of the most commonly used reflective coatings for roofs is white lime wash. However, this coating does have a downside as it can wash away in the rain. This means that the coating would need to be reapplied every summer to ensure that it continues to effectively reflect the heat. Despite this inconvenience, the benefits of using a reflective coating on a building’s roof make it a worthwhile investment.
5) Install Cupola
A cupola is a fantastic addition to any house as it enhances the overall aesthetics and provides numerous benefits. One of the key functions of a cupola is utilizing the stack effect, which occurs when there is a difference in air density between the indoor and outdoor environments due to variations in temperature and moisture levels. In warmer weather, the warm air rises and accumulates in the cupola, creating an updraft. The windows or awnings in the cupola then serve as outlets for the warm air to escape back into the atmosphere, effectively ventilating the interior of the house and helping to regulate the temperature. Additionally, the natural light that enters through the windows of the cupola adds a pleasant ambiance to the interior space, making it an appealing feature for homeowners.
6) Adoption of Suitable Construction Material
There are numerous options for roofing materials that can effectively reduce the amount of heat that enters a house. Some of these materials involve combining various scrap materials, such as paper tubes, with more traditional options like clay tiles and ferrocrete. These combinations have been found to offer superior thermal resistance when compared to standard materials like tin sheets and RCC.
By utilizing these alternative roofing materials, homeowners can minimize the amount of heat that enters their homes. This can lead to a more comfortable living environment and potentially even lower energy bills. Additionally, using recycled materials in the roofing process is a more eco-friendly choice that can help reduce waste and support sustainable practices. Overall, there are many benefits to exploring alternative roofing materials for residential and commercial buildings alike.
7) Use Low Thermal Mass Materials
Thermal mass refers to a material’s capacity to absorb and retain heat energy. In the context of building construction, materials like brick, concrete, and tiles are commonly used due to their high thermal mass. These materials are capable of absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly, keeping the indoor environment warm during colder periods. However, the same high thermal mass materials can also store excess heat during the daytime, making the indoor environment uncomfortably warm during hot periods.
An alternative approach is to use materials with low thermal mass, such as timber, brick chimneys, plaster walls, or slate floors. These materials have a lower capacity to absorb and retain heat energy compared to high thermal mass materials. As a result, during the daytime, they absorb less heat and do not warm up the indoor environment as much. Then, during the cooler night-time hours, they release the stored heat, keeping the indoor environment comfortable and cooler.
This use of low thermal mass materials in construction can result in a more energy-efficient building design. It can help regulate indoor temperatures and reduce the reliance on mechanical heating or cooling systems. Additionally, this approach may be particularly useful in regions with hot climates, where keeping the indoor environment cool is a priority. By utilizing materials with low thermal mass, it is possible to achieve a comfortable indoor environment throughout the day, even during hot periods, while minimizing the energy consumption and environmental impact associated with artificial cooling systems.
8) Use Shading Devices
Shadings in a building serve as a barrier against solar radiation infiltrating the building. There are different types of shading devices available, ranging from canvas awnings to solar screens, roll-down blinds, shutters, and vertical louvers. These shading devices can be installed internally, externally, or in between the internal and external building space.
However, external shadings have proven to be much more effective than internal shadings. This is because external shading devices block the path of radiation directly at the window, preventing it from entering the building. On the other hand, internal shading devices may not be as effective since they are located inside the building and may not completely block the radiation from entering.
Overall, the use of shading devices is essential in controlling the amount of solar radiation that enters a building. It not only reduces the amount of heat gain but also improves the energy efficiency of the building. Proper selection and installation of shading devices can significantly improve the comfort level of the occupants while reducing energy consumption and costs.