Tropical Environment
Eco-nomical homes, Eco-logical homes

The development of air conditioning and artificial lighting has caused a shift from local, traditional architecture to a form that can be implemented on an international scale. Whereas aspects like local weather conditions and the direction of the sun used to be the yardstick for constructing a home in the past,

now a new sense dominates a market that concentrates more on exterior appearance. No one seems to suspect, however, that the operating costs of such homes are higher than anticipated.

The situation can be corrected; this is where "Ecological Homes"comes into the picture. By working with architects and developers from the early stages of property design, Mr. Alan Boswell, Manager of Trane, explains that "Ecological Homes"aspires to provide solutions to both private homes and businesses that lead to more sustainable and ecologically managed homes. 'The idea is to reduce the amount of energy and reduce the amount of water,' he adds. Ecological Homes will play a stronger role in cutting down operating costs on properties under construction, although existing homes may also be improved.

The first step of understanding the idea behind the Ecological Homes concept is to recognise how heat is generated in a home. Mr. Boswell showed me a pye chart with 5 slices, which makes it clear that heat comes into the house mainly from two places: the roof and the windows, 50% and 26% respectively. Substantial heat is created by various domestic appliances, such as fridges, TV, computers, while the heat absorbed by the walls comes to about 7%. Another 10% comes in through gaps under the doors and window seals.

Obviously the first place to start is the roof; three steps can be taken to reduce heat. Firstly, the colour of the roof tiles plays a significant role in reducing heat absorption. Mr. Boswell refers to research when advising that 'a white cement tile will reflect 95% of the solar gain, where a black or red tile will absorb it'.

The second aspect is insulation. Mr. Boswell notes that although many houses have insulation, it is often not installed correctly. He explains that the first layer of insulation, called radiant barrier, acts as a reflector of solar gain, but a radiant barrier works only if there is space on either side of it, otherwise it becomes a conductor of heat. The proper installation of radiant barrier has been proven to decrease temperature by 5 to 15 degrees. Apart from the radiant barrier, the space between the roof and the actual living space has also to be insulated. 'Thus, the load inside the space is reduced and you don't need such a big air conditioning unit', says Mr. Boswell.

The third aspect related to the roof is ventilation. By ventilating the roof, the air that comes in can move out again once it becomes hot. A ridge vent around the overhang of the building can be designed into the original plans to address the need for ventilation. In the case of already constructed houses, however, a solar powered roof vent can be used. Powered by the sun, the fan is silent and easily installed on one area of the roof. 'The ventilation comes in on the overhangs and then goes out by the solar powered vent', he explained, adding 'if you think about it before constructing the place, this technology is not expensive. It is equivalent to 0. 001% of the overall cost of the building. If you get the roof right, you have more chance to get the rest of the property cool.'

What about the windows? In terms of material, single-pane glass allows the heat to penetrate the living space. There are, however, different types of glass and protective coatings that can be installed to keep the heat out. Mr. Boswell cautions that not all these products are suitable to this environment and care should be taken in selecting the suitable type to avoid a 'greenhouse effect', meaning keeping the heat inside the house. Ecological Homes can suggest the proper type of glass and coating based on the positioning of the property.

Equally important, however, is the positioning of the windows. 'If you put windows in the south and your living area is also there, then you're creating a nightmare for yourself,' comments Mr. Boswell with a smile. This is especially true for many properties in Phuket. That is why consideration of the positioning of the house is so vitally important from the planning stage. As far as finished houses are concerned, the situation can still be corrected and Ecological Homes can propose solutions to reduce heat depending on the individual house.

With electrical surges being a regular occurrence in Thailand, Ecological Homes gives solutions with protection systems that eliminate danger from the surge. Installed into the main supply and with a 5-10 year unconditional guarantee, such systems are sure to protect TVs, telephone, computers and any other appliances available in the house.

Ecological Homes also designs high efficiency air conditioning systems with individual customers in mind, where the costs saved in this area can be used elsewhere. To further reduce electricity consumption around the property, solar powered lighting and water pumps can be installed.

A quite recent trend is the installation of spa or Jacuzzi pools in private homes requiring a great amount of electricity in order to heat the water. Private properties, as well as businesses can benefit from the Solar Heat Pump technology proposed by Ecological Homes. The Pump converts the air from the outside environment into hot water and reduces energy consumption by 75% when compared to a conventional water heater. Not only that, but the pump releases cold air back into the environment, which can be used to cool interior spaces.

An ecological home would mean nothing without water conservation. Mr. Boswell regrets the fact that very few people recycle rainwater or gray water around the house. Despite the fact that rainfall is considerable in our part of the world and that it is likely to increase as the climate gets warmer, very few people use rainwater for watering the garden, or recycle the water from the pool or Jacuzzi into their toilet system. This issue is equally high on the agenda of Ecological homes, who have the technology for taping into water conservation and recycling.

The interesting point is that it can all be done with the press of a button. Ecological Homes can combine the technology of 'smart homes' with all ecological home solutions. You can, among others, switch on your air con with a simple telephone call from your mobile the minute you arrive at the airport. Indeed, they also have the technology for you to be able to monitor the performance of your systems from an internet link.

Preventative maintenance is another aspect Ecological Homes takes into consideration, making sure that proper maintenance and the people to undertake it are there to take care of your property.

Throughout the interview it became clear that Mr. Boswell's highest priority is service. 'A long term relationship with my customers is important' he says. 'I'm not here to just sell, but to provide the best service possible. Customers come back because we're here to provide service.'

In the present day, where the need to conserve our planet's resources is increasing, Ecological Homes provide easy solutions to cutting down cost, thus making a home not only a delight to live in, but also economically sustainable.

Tropical Living: June 2003, Volume 3 Issue 1

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