Two months ago, I visited a friend at his house. When I walked in, he was wearing shorts, bare-chested, and sweating like someone who had just completed a high-intensity workout. I asked if I had interrupted a workout session, and he firmly replied no. He went on to say, in his words, “... it is hot inside the house, I sweat from morning to evening, I no longer use bedsheets at night, the kids have developed rashes due to excess heat, all doors and windows are always open, you must find a solution, we can't live in this house anymore.” As he went on, my mind wandered. I asked myself, how can this issue be solved? And how did we get here? Also read: Let us not build our homes on sand only In recent years, house designs have dramatically changed, both in construction and appearance. We've moved from traditional gable roofs to hip roofs, and currently, hidden roofs are the thing. The transition has also seen a shift from small, functional windows to large, sliding ones, often at the expense of ventilation. These changes have undoubtedly enhanced the visual appeal of homes; however, they have also introduced a new set of challenges. The most pressing is the extreme heat indoors. Our homes, which are supposed to be treasured sanctuaries we retreat to at the end of the day or after long work weeks, have now become unbearably hot, especially during the summer months, leaving their occupants desperate for help. I haven’t lived too long to refer to old times, but last year felt like one of the hottest years I have ever experienced. According to Kigali’s weather station data, the summer of 2023 (June-August) was the hottest ever recorded, with an average maximum daily temperature of 28.7 °C. The transition from hip and gable roofs, which played a crucial role in cooling the house, is now considered outdated and ugly. As home designs evolve, we find ourselves moving with the trends. However, we must be mindful of the effects of modernization” on the comfort and lifestyles of the people living in the homes. The combination of metallic roof sheets, reduced ventilation due to smaller gaps between the roof and ceiling, and the physical properties of large glass-sliding windows and doors have made the homes undesirable. Hot air is trapped in the ceiling, turning our precious homes into detestable ovens. One of the most straightforward solutions I have heard people talk about is adding an air conditioning system. While this may work, it will surely increase your energy expenses, and they are known not to be environmentally friendly. And, for a country like Rwanda, which still has a relatively good climate, air conditioning in residential homes is more of a luxury than a necessity. Also read: The rains are here your roof is leaking here is what to do A few tips can make a huge difference when cooling our homes. Firstly, during construction, be mindful of the orientation of your house. Be aware of the angles at which direct sunlight will hit the house when the temperatures are the highest, and position the home to protect it. Secondly, opt for a design that favors airflow through the house and includes roof ventilation to enable the outflow of hot air. Furthermore, curtains today are crucial to the interior design of the house; however, the heavier they are, the more likely they will contribute to retaining heat during high temperatures days. Also read: To build or to buy a puzzle for prospective homeowners Several other options to cool our homes can be applied to existing and yet-to-be-built structures. Using locally available skills and materials, we can reduce the heat in our homes during sunny periods without hiking our electricity bills. The starting point is for homeowners and designers to deliberately prioritize the house's functionality and the residents' quality of life. This is not to underestimate the value of exterior looks but to create a balance between aesthetics and functionality. In the face of rising temperatures, we must reimagine designs. munezerodp@gmail.com X:@DeoPaskhal
