Cut down heat!

When Russia hit a temperature of 32C this July we have better worry for Malaysia too.

A few things we have done:
1. Orientate the house so that the longer side faces north and south. The least surface facing east and west means the less hours of heating by both the rising and setting sun.

2. Ventilation via open windows and doors. Nothing beats the cool breeze. It saves energy for earth instead of creating more wastage by air conditioning.

3. Trees! Our best friends to give us wonderful shades, oxygen and sometimes food.

4. Since the west is the hottest room, we chose to put least used rooms and thicker curtains there. Bamboo curtains practically can shade of most lights.

5. Allow your roof to cool down by installing aluminium sheet to reflect the heat. Choose a lighter colour roof. Allow ventilation of air through the roof.

Other things that you can consider:
1. Use a solar reflecting paint.
2. Use water misting fan.
3. Build a cool basement underground.
4. Insulate the house and ceiling with fibreglass, polysterene or cellulose. Not many homes in Malaysia are doing it as it costs a bom.
5. Use double pane glass for all your windows.
6. Use LED or energy saving bulbs for the whole house. We are almost there to have cheaper LED lights for the whole house!

Harry and Stephanie Boswell had built and amazing energy saving house in Melaka that uses RM2/day for 4 continuously running AC. Check it out at http://www.ien.dk/cooltek/

Roof structure

In the tropical rainy weather of Malaysia, the practical choices of roofs are not many. Since it is the most unaccessible part of the house all consideration should be taken to avoid any future renovation. It can be the most expensive part of the house too.

Many designs can be considered but a slanting angle is needed to allow water to flow well. Any stagnant water can be a breeding pool for mosquitoes here.

However you can think of slanting outwards in the conventional way or inwards in a V shape to collect rainwater. The collected water is a good store for watering plants.

The most commonly used material here is timber and steel truss. Undeniably steel truss is more lasting without the worry of termites. As my house is designed with the tropical healthy concept in mind, the principle is to avoid man made material as much as possible, especially metal. So probably I can worry less about electricity disturbances and electromagnetic influences but more on the natural enemy of termites.

Journey to Moonriver - a permaculture experience

Journey to Moonriver - a permaculture experience!

Permaculture - permenant agriculture, where earth is replenished continuously with natural products and we get rich organic food all year round. Sounds familiar? Our ancester had been doing it till the industrial monsters started to swallow the traditional way. Now we learn it again, in a systematic and scientific way.

We found our way to Moonriver Lodge in Sigar Highlands near to Cameron Highlands. It is the first in Malaysia and nearest to home. After passing all the malodorous farms on the way from Blue Valley it was a surprise that this organic farm smells only of flowers.

Just by reusing many of our home waste from vegetables, fruits, newspaper and even more, rich and environmental friendly fertilizer was produced! The techniques are best elaborated by the sifu there.

We set our mind to practic the techniques as much as possible later. Then rubbish can be called "mulch" and worms are named "best workers".