You probably are ranting against the summer as you read this. If not now then in the course of a day you definitely might have grumbled about the not-so-cool-weather. Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkota-Kerala, wherever you might be (exempting the hill station dwellers), summers are always unwelcome and unpleasant. Indoors, outdoors, heat envelopes all. For some, evenings are as bad as noon.
I dream of a country which would give a tough competition to Malta (apparently it’s climate is to kill for), but then it’s just a dream. In a situation like this we all hunt for options. Options which would keep us cool and if not cool would not persistently nag us all. Staying indoors is one such option. But indoors does not translate into cool. Each one of our houses may not have an air-conditioner. Those who have an air-conditioner do not necessarily enjoy paying the electricity bill at the end of the month (therefore, eventually being forced into converting the air condition into a showpiece). Then the not-so-reliable-electricity which arrives and departs at whim also adds to our summer woes.
Then what do we do? Protest? In this heat? Isn’t there a fairer land for the common men (and, women, of course) ? Follow Mr.V. Balasubramaniam’s and his friend Dr. S.P. Periaswamy’s lead. The retired scientist and his friend are avid nature lovers, so beating summers for them had to be nature friendly. Tiled roofs are common throughout Coimbatore, the discoverer’s place of residence.
They found sun-reflecting colors to be expensive and air-condition pocket stinging (just like many of us). This drove them to find a simple yet effective solution to beat the heat. Don’t let your mind wander far as the solution is as simple and plain as WHITE! Rush to the market and purchase some lime powder sold under brand names Janata Cool or Summer Cool (naming a few), read and follow the instructions on the packet which usually intimates one to dissolve it in water, mix adhesive (Fevicol, for most) to the dilute.
Apply a coat of this concoction all over your roof and don’t forget to top it up with a second layer (usually after a day). Water the roof thrice or more in two days time and get yourself an all new fancy pancy rooftop.
This new roof would drastically bring down your room temperature (subtract 5 or 7 from 35 or 40, for that matter) and is cost efficient, as well. What more? You can paint your roof white whenever you feel it’s effectiveness waning. (or) you may want to try these Do-It-Yourself cooling tips.
