It is currently summer in India.
Are there any behavioural or infra modifications that would help handle the increased heat?
I have read about how white roofs would reduce heat absorption and energy needed for cooling
Are there other things like that? Especially ones that regular people can try? The other type(policy decision type) are ok too tho. Would be good to know them.
Also, are there any communities that would have discussions on such topics? Like a TIL or DIY community where people talked about general issues and solutions.
Is it this community?
Thick (~1m) mudbrick walls. I lived in a house like that for 2 years, it felt cold inside in summer.
I assume you are looking for passive methods that aren’t air conditioning.
As others have said, thick walls that have a thermal mass. It helps if you open the building at night to help cool the walls.
The structure should be as light as possible, both the walls and roof, to reflect back light.
Windows should have large awnings so direct light doesn’t enter during summer. Everything should be in the shade.
If you can, you can create a solar chimney by having a large and dark chimney on the south side of your building. Set your building up so that there is a natural air intake which comes from below ground, so you naturally pull in cool air.
Thank you
Install solar panels on the roof and use the power to run air conditioning.
Drink a ton of water.
Plant as many plants as possible. Trees are best. Make sure to use species native to your region that deal well with the prevalent weather.
Not sure how your buildings are built over there so this may not apply. But an exhaust fan for the space between the ceiling and roof does wonders to cool a house after a hot day. Those attic spaces get crazy hot and hold the heat well after the sun sets and it keeps your house hotter longer. This won’t necessarily help with mid day heat, but help cool the living space as the sun goes down.
Definitely mostly brick and mortar construction therefore no attic space in India
Yea that makes sense. You could wet the brick every so often to get some evaporative cooling going and keep that heat from penetrating inside
Central air conditioning all summer long.
But before I had AC, on hot nights I’d put a cold damp rag on my feet to fall asleep easier and that really worked. I’d also put a box fan in one of my windows pointed outside, and I’d also open a window in another room so that outside air would be sucked in through my home.
I learned to be cool in hot temperature by being still, in the shade, with a breeze, it’s very hot and humid here but also windy usually.
Trees help so much. It is noticeably cooler at the park than in the city.
In the house when there is not air conditioning, roofed porches and opening the windows with fans pulling air through the house helps.
drink water, loads of it; if you have to go out, always keep a bottle at hand. wear less clothes and keep your house fresh and ventilated, open all windows if possible. buy a/c for your bedrooms but use them just in the night, when you have to sleep. use fans where you have to work or stay during the day. to cope with the higher electric bill, consider installing solar panels on your roof, or a small wind turbine.
Take an undershirt you’re not wearing, get it soaking wet, drape it around your neck
Reflectrix on the inside/underside of the roof.
- It’s a cheap material.
- It’s quick to install.
Besides that, better insulation and the use of high efficiency heat pumps.
It might be easier near the coast, but opening up windows during times of day where you can catch a breeze might help with the heat the house soaks up. Insect netting on windows may make this a more tolerable option.
Beyond this, the high ceilings in older style homes seemed to make things feel cooler, but I can’t really confirm that. A lot of design aspects of older homes were meant to deal with heat, so it might not be trendy but works. I’ve seen one place with a sizeable indoor pond/pool in the middle of the ground floor, supposedly inspired by courtyard transpiration. The guy was an odd engineer… no idea about longevity but it did stay cool in that place.
Plants to cut down on sunlight while giving you something nice to look at seems good. Maybe planters for vegetables etc on a flat roof if it’s possible.
Thank you.
On top of white paint, if it’s legal, try putting up some camo netting above the roof to provide shade on top of the reflectiveness of the white paint. Shades over windows.
Plants and trees
Bucket of cold water, stick your feet into it.
Tin foil in the windows to reflect radiation.
Cold tap over inside of forearms and wrists (iirc ears work well too, but of course a more awkward reach if you’re just using a bathroom tap).
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I handled the heat by moving from Northern Australia to Tasmania.
There must me much cooler places in India?
