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/
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