Keeping Cool

Written by Rima, 1st Jan 2008

In hot humid climates like in South East Asia (e.g. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand), temperatures typically range from 25 degrees C at night to 38 degrees C in the day time.  Not only is it hot, it is humid.  Many of my western friends are soaking from perspiration after 15 minutes outside!  Although I try to push them to endure the heat, the profuse sweating and beet root red faces becomes even more disconcerting.  Keeping cool in hot climates is high on the agenda.  So what is available to keep you cool?

Clothing

• Solar hats with fans attached sound a great idea and do in fact provide a little breeze to keep the face cool.  However as they keep the head covered also tend to keep the heat in!
• Wearing cotton clothes is always an option if you don't have to go anywhere formal.  Cotton fabric has been known to allow your skin to breathe.  Downside is sweat is stored in the fabric.
  
  Can someone please explain the "wearing your trousers' waist around your thighs" so that everyone can see the underwear you're wearing.  Okay I'm old!
• To reduce the amount of sweat following you where ever you go - try clothing that wicks sweat away.  This tends to be synthetic polyester that dries quickly (talk to someone who runs in competitions).  However it does retain the dreaded "body odour" smell and can smell a "little" stale if you don't wash it often!  The more expensive alternative is to use Merino wool.  It feels soft and works just as good as the polyester and does not retain smells as easily as the polyester.
• Silk has also been synonymous with keeping cool.

In the House

• Flooring:  Try ceramic tiles or marble.  Cool on the feet
• Windows: Slightly tinted will reduce the light
• Fans: Require less energy and maintenance over air conditioning.
• Solar fans: Do a web search for solar fans that can be placed at the top of the house to draw the hot air out.  Uses the energy of the sun to keep the house cool!
• If you have a garden, plant shade trees.
• Paint your house a light colour.  Light colours reflect heat.

Statistics to keep you aware of energy consumption

Try this link to the US Energy Department

This UK site is quite an interesting read for those who like maths