Europe sees more than 1,300 excess deaths amid brutal heatwave, WHO says

[Waz]

All those factors apply pretty much the same across the globe for large metropolitan areas. The correct solution - airconditioning - is often made impassible by local regulations, taxes and energy costs, cloaked in various garbs.

Not in warm nations. The insulation kills us, as we were always a cold nation, like much of upper Northern Europe.

 

[Waz]

Consider it training for your trip to the desert.

On a serious note, the City of Phoenix came to the realization a few years back that if they'd plant more native trees, it just might help with the heat.

Hilarious brother.
On the Phoenix project, how far have they got with the planting of trees?

 

[Yasser76]

Before you do that, do a little research on how much open area is required for the planned unit to "breath". Dec. 2018 we had the HVAC system replaced in our former house. The contractor who did the work is a friend of mine. He mentioned the original installer did not install the condenser correctly. Did not have minimum clearance all the way around for proper air flow.

Good tip, we will get it professionally installed so hoping we get good advice on that

 

[Yasser76]

Not in warm nations. The insulation kills us, as we were always a cold nation, like much of upper Northern Europe.

Actually we had new insulation put in a few years back, helps keep the house cooler then before for some bizarre reason

 

[Waz]

The people in the new build flats in London(and elsewhere in Europe) where they can't open the windows fully, have no AC and large "fancy" windows to let in the sun in for those majestic views - are literally cooking.

Bro they may as well be deathtraps in our new Summers. God help them.

 

[VCheng]

I’m skeptical that the “not green” excuse is really the issue.

It is not. What the elites regard as luxuries are priced out of the reach of the plebes on various pretenses. One of the oldest tricks around.

Not in warm nations. The insulation kills us, as we were always a cold nation, like much of upper Northern Europe.

Pleas see below and my response as well:

Actually we had new insulation put in a few years back, helps keep the house cooler then before for some bizarre reason

Insulation works both ways since heat transfer is omnidirectional depending on the temperature differences. What retains heat on the inside in the winter is also slow to accept heat from the outside in the summer.

The reason houses get warmer than the outside in the summer is all the heat and humidity generation inside. Adequate ventilation and moisture control is the way to remain comfortable, and the techniques to do that can vary according to the environment.

All of the solutions are feasible and available. Choosing to suffer is another matter entirely, whether by indoctrination or by economic preferences.

 

[Yasser76]

It is not. What the elites regard as luxuries are priced out of the reach of the plebes on various pretenses. One of the oldest tricks around.



Pleas see below and my response as well:



Insulation works both ways since heat transfer is omnidirectional depending on the temperature differences. What retains heat on the inside in the winter is also slow to accept heat from the outside in the summer.

The reason houses get warmer than the outside in the summer is all the heat and humidity generation inside. Adequate ventilation and moisture control is the way to remain comfortable, and the techniques to do that can vary according to the environment.

All of the solutions are feasible and available. Choosing to suffer is another matter entirely, whether by indoctrination or by economic preferences.

Yeah, that is kind of how the architect and builder put it but that bit went over my head a bit. All I know is when i enter the house on a hot sunny day it geniusnely feels 5-6 degrees cooler, its nice

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Hilarious brother.
On the Phoenix project, how far have they got with the planting of trees?

They've a ways to go but making good progress. Sad it took excessive temperatures and preventable deaths of the homeless to recognize there are ways to mitigate the issues with a heat island in the concrete jungle.

The nice thing with the native trees is with proper watering and pruning, the shading is incredible.

 

[313Ghazi]

The days before central air led to ugly window A/C units dominating the sides of buildings

I’m sure the Europeans are horrified that the ugly aesthetics of 1960’s American window air conditioners covering building walls is going to filter into their cities in the 2020’s through just as ugly mini-splits.

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I’m skeptical that the “not green” excuse is really the issue.

Biggest reason i don't have AC - it costs more to get it fitted than it does to buy the units. We have a strange law where only people with some obscure Gas certificate can fit it. Those guys tend to do mainly commercial work, so are expensive.

It's the principle more than the cost. Although this summer i've found that you can have something called R290 units which are DIY'able.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Yeah, that is kind of how the architect and builder put it but that bit went over my head a bit. All I know is when i enter the house on a hot sunny day it geniusnely feels 5-6 degrees cooler, its nice

Another tip: Look into a whole house fan. With a properly insulated home, you could yourself in a situation where drawing the cool air in the evening will cool not only the house but the attic space as well. When the sun comes up the next day, close the doors and windows and the inside will definitely be cooler.

Our next house, on which work has started, will include spray foam insulation on the underside of the roof deck. That will go a long way in helping keep the house cool, or warm, depending on the season.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Biggest reason i don't have AC - it costs more to get it fitted than it does to buy the units. We have a strange law where only people with some obscure Gas certificate can fit it. Those guys tend to do mainly commercial work, so are expensive.

It's the principle more than the cost. Although this summer i've found that you can have something called R290 units which are DIY'able.

That's actually not unusual. Some of the work over the course of my career has been in jurisdictions where that was required.

 

[Yasser76]

Another tip: Look into a whole house fan. With a properly insulated home, you could yourself in a situation where drawing the cool air in the evening will cool not only the house but the attic space as well. When the sun comes up the next day, close the doors and windows and the inside will definitely be cooler.

Our next house, on which work has started, will include spray foam insulation on the underside of the roof deck. That will go a long way in helping keep the house cool, or warm, depending on the season.

Yeah, we always leave curtains and windoes closed in the heat.

It is really interesting now how seriously we have to take summer in the UK. When I was a kid English "summers" were a global joke, now I have relatives in pak messaging me asking about how hot it is in London. Bizarre right!?

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Yeah, we always leave curtains and windoes closed in the heat.

It is really interesting now how seriously we have to take summer in the UK. When I was a kid English "summers" were a global joke, now I have relatives in pak messaging me asking about how hot it is in London. Bizarre right!?

Tell them "it's just like Karachi".

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Same in Toronto, we have a heat wave this week…….
Next week looks a tad bit okay

Oh well, its “summer” here finally in Canada, our center of the universe

My former neighbor will be glad to hear that. He's originally from just a little north of Toronto. He and his wife will be there visiting in about 2 weeks.

 

[Yasser76]

Tell them "it's just like Karachi".

Bizarre thing is I think I have been to every major Pakistani city apart from Karachi but have never once felt the inclination to visit for some reason