Gear up for the hot, steamy summer
| Text : Liana Cafolla | Photo : www.thinkstockphotos.com |
Ensuring adequate ventilation is a special challenge in Hong Kong. Not only is the outside air often sluggish or polluted, but even when climatic conditions are good, the close proximity of buildings makes it almost impossible to get a good blast of fresh air circulating through the home. The high-rise apartment blocks that dominate the Hong Kong property scene are themselves an impediment to good ventilation, by creating a wall effect that hampers air circulation.
Good ventilation is important — if there is too little fresh air in a home, pollutants can accumulate, potentially becoming a health hazard. Rather than opting for machines, encouraging a free flow of fresh air is the simplest, cheapest and usually the healthiest option to ventilate your home, as well as being the most environmentally friendly.
Natural ventilation can be enhanced both before and after you move into a new home. If you are currently renovating your home, you may be able to make some structural changes to maximise the natural flow of air. Building side windows on facing walls is very effective in creating a current of air. Homeowners who have built such windows say the flow of air is stronger than air-conditioning.
Installing a ceiling fan is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Using a fan instead of air-conditioning can cut up to 47 percent of your monthly electricity costs. “The average fan on full speed uses less than power then a 100-watt light bulb and this is significantly less than air-conditioning,” says Iain McBride of Life’s a Breeze (www.lifesabreezehk.com), a company that stocks fans of all shapes and sizes, from those suitable for small spaces such as bathrooms to large models for big or outdoor spaces.
Fans can also add a design focus to your room and can be combined with light fittings. Before choosing a fan, consider whether you want it to blend in with your ceiling or be a standalone feature. Choose a fan that is not too big or too small for the height of your room. “A three-metre ceiling is ideal for fans but we have a range that is suitable for ceilings as low as 2.6-metres,” says McBride.
Because a fan continually moves air around, it reduces the settlement of mould spores, which as well as being unhealthy can cause serious damage if left untreated, such as causing wooden window sills to rot and encouraging paint and plaster to peel away. In very hot weather, using your fan and air-conditioner together can cool your home faster — turning on your fan makes your air-conditioning work better by circulating the cool air around the room.
While they can be heavy and noisy, air-purifiers are another option worth considering. They remove solid particulates from the air, such as, dust, pollen and mould, and can be helpful for those who suffer from asthma or dust allergies. There are many models on the market, but those using a HEPA filter perform well in surveys. During the SARS outbreak in 2003, the Hong Kong Hospital Authority used the IQ Air Health Prof Plus air purifier, which is suitable for rooms up to 900 square feet. Before you invest in one, check that you don’t already have one — many vacuum cleaners now use HEPA filters, which may be sufficient for homeowners who have no pets or particular allergies. Air ionisers, which use static electricity to attract dust particles, are also effective.
A selection of tall plants is another way to ensure fresh air inside your home. As well as being oxygen generators, plants are visually attractive and versatile – move them around to create different design effects or to add colour as the seasons change.
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