6 ms·
> Lukewarm showers I think this is personal. Ice cold showers help me immensely and consistently in multiple climates. My wife (originally from another count
by Panino 8y ago
> Lukewarm showers
I think this is personal. Ice cold showers help me immensely and consistently in multiple climates. My wife (originally from another country) prefers to take hot showers. Although that sounds awful, if I feel her skin afterward, it's cool to the touch, so I know it works for her. So I of course tried it and it was a nightmare. Never again.
Where I live it was 40C/105F yesterday and we don't have air conditioning. It's actually not bad when you have a strategy in place. In college I lived on the 10th floor of concrete building that also lacked air conditioning. I think the list in this article is good mainly for short term relief. It's also optimized for situations that aren't very applicable to most of its readers.
In France, it's standard for windows to have white exterior shutters that both repel sunlight and prevent it from entering a home through the window. They are controlled easily from a handle indoors next to the window. This should be standard in homes and buildings worldwide. If you prevent heat from entering in the first place then you can greatly reduce the "need" to use air conditioning. I can personally attest to how effective they are.
Simply opening the windows at night helps a lot since where we live it gets cool enough. Whole house fans (run in the early morning or late evening), ceiling fans, and cool drinks are enough to keep me comfortable indoors no matter the temperature.
- davidw 8y ago> In France, it's standard for windows to have white exterior shutters that both repel sunlight and prevent it from entering a home through the window. Italy too, although in most newer places, they have the roll-down ones -they're fantastic! On the other hand, the idea of mosquito netting hasn't caught on, which is bizarre. https://blog.therealitaly.com/2007/08/09/window-technology/ https://blog.therealitaly.com/2007/08/09/window-technology/
- Panino 8y agoYes, that's the kind France has, rolling shutters. And like the article says, they're awesome for blocking out light and helping you sleep. I'd bet they also at least slightly reduce noise. Unfortunately I can't install rolling shutters on my windows because the gap between the top of the window and the roof outcrop is too short, and existing products are just way overpriced anyway since it's such a niche product. Maybe we'll make something ourselves that produces the same effect. I think exterior rolling shutters and white rooftops are the two most effective changes we can make.
- nextos 8y agoThey are almost in any Spanish house too, and I've sorely missed them everywhere. In Denmark, Sweden and the UK. Rolling shutters are great against summer heat, but IMHO their biggest advantage is the ability to let you have a totally dark room for optimal sleep. They are also really good at preventing thermal leaks during very cold weather, and provide extra protection against storms and hail. Lastly, really good shutters can be locked into window frames to keep thieves away. I don't understand why they are not more popular. Coupled with mosquito nets, they are a really convenient and energy-efficient all-weather solution.
- kokey 8y agoSpain too. Great for siestas.
- spanxx 8y agoNobody take "siestas" in Spain. Only some toddlers and old people, so they are not designed with that intent on mind. Their aim is to avoid sunlight in summer and keep warm in winter.
- csomar 8y ago> On the other hand, the idea of mosquito netting hasn't caught on, which is bizarre. If you have mosquitos try different brands of mosquito repellant that don't smell that bad. They have been very effective for me. I'm not sure about the health concern of the toxic they produce, however.
- CompelTechnic 8y agoI often wonder why nobody paints their roof white. I see all this black asphalt soaking up heat on roofs in the south and think that everyone must be crazy.
- zeroxfe 8y agoYou'll see a lot more white roofs in hot countries than cold ones. Can't repaint just for the summer here in Canada :-)
- goda90 8y agoIt'd be interesting if we saw an e-ink like tech that can switch the color of paint with a single electrical signal and not need to stay powered the rest of the time.
- opportune 8y agoor the ink could change color based on temperature/light exposure
- bluGill 8y agoCold climates generally have insulation meaning roof color isn't as significant as in warmer climates. Also cold climates also imply snow which brings us back to a white roof.
- 8y ago
- dominotw 8y agoHow do you get ice cold water in the shower? I get lukewarm water in summer in my apartment .
- izzydata 8y agoI imagine it depends on your water source in the area. I don't think there is anything you can do to make it colder than the source. You could fill a tub with ice though.
- briandear 8y agoOr you could save the ice and just get an air conditioner. Most normal people don’t have bags of ice ready to go to dump into a bathtub.
- s0rce 8y agoDepends on your water source. It can be 100F in the California Sierra Nevada foothills but the water (from mountain snowmelt) is still freezing cold.
- Iv 8y agoAs a French the lack of "volet" (these white shutters) in other countries drives me mad. How can you sleep in a bedroom that is not totally dark after sunset? At least here in Japan they have these anti-typhoon metal shutters that I can use...
- quantum_magpie 8y agoPersonally, I can sleep if it's not completely dark (although it's way better if it is). What I can't stand is if there is no fresh airflow, which closing these shutters also blocks. But I am in general extremely angry at the amount of light polution everywhere, too.
- csomar 8y agoIt is definitively personal. Hot showers make me feel cooler afterwards in a hot climate.