Dear Editor,
I had friends and relatives from Guyana visiting. Apart from the socializing, indulgence and vociferous political debates, among other issues, I observed that all my visitors had a similar grouse, ie, the high cost of residential electricity. I recollected that on my visits to Guyana I had heard the very same grouse from neighbours, relatives and friends. A few folks were bold enough to state that they are over billed and are subsidizing GPL via the controversial estimation of electrical consumption which appears to be more frequent than meter reading.
While GPL’s estimation may be controversial, GPL may call to attention the high cost due to loss of electricity by theft, long distance transmission, high cost of fuel, lubricants and operations. Notwithstanding this scenario, I suspect the high cost of residential electricity consumption may be directly related to Guyana’s home design, construction and consumer tardiness.
I am unaware of any governmental, and by extension GPL and Central Housing and Planning Authority, research/studies concerning building design and energy consumption. Are there any published data on electricity consumption, peak demand and distribution? Be that as it may, it is my opinion that residential electricity consumers are not aware that they are consuming and billed by GPL for a high volume of electricity consumption due to the design and construction of their homes.
Guyana is in the tropics where the sun reaches a sub-solar point, which is where the sun’s rays are hitting the planet exactly perpendicular to its surface. Buildings in the tropics ‒ specifically residential homes – should be constructed to deflect the heat from the sun; the homes should be designed and constructed to self-ventilate and cool off by adapting construction methods that will not depend on high-cost energy consuming devices for cooling.
The majority of residential homes constructed in Guyana for several years are copied from the styles and construction of homes in the temperate zone (each of the two belts of latitude between the torrid zone and the northern and southern frigid zones). Residential homes in the temperate zones are constructed to trap and store heat for as long as possible to minimize the cost of energy consumed to heat homes in the cold seasons and the reverse for air conditioning in the hot season.
As such, the many glass windows, low roof styles and low ceiling construction homes in the tropics trap heat which is uncomfortable for occupants. Thus the need to use high cost, energy consuming devices, eg, A/C and fans to ‘cool’ homes. You are ‘cooling’ your homes and it is continuous 24 hours energy consumption due to the sunlight, glass windows which allow sunlight heat into the homes and the concrete which stores the sunlight energy/heat.
Here are few home improvement suggestions which, if implemented, will go a far way in cooling homes in tropical conditions like Guyana and minimize energy cost and consumption.
Tall ceilings: Ceilings as high as 10, 12 and even 14 feet are common in older homes. As heat rose to the ceiling, lower areas stayed cool and comfortable.
Transoms: A transom is a small window over a door that allows warmer air at the ceiling to circulate up to higher floors, providing more air movement throughout the house.
A jalousie window: This is a fixed or movable window composed of parallel glass or wooden louvers set in a frame.
Large windows: Many older and historic homes have large, double-hung windows. Opening the top sash allows hot air near the ceiling to escape. Opening the bottom sash, especially at night, allows cool air to flow inside.
Improved airflow: Before A/Cs and fans existed, many homes were built on stilts, blocks and pillars allowing the breeze to flow underneath and help keep homes cool all day long.
Reflective roofs: Many older homes have light-coloured or silver-metal roofs made of zinc sheets and slate. This is a great way to deflect heat away from the home to reduce interior temperatures. It’s quite a contrast to today’s dark asphalt shingles that can absorb a lot of the sun’s rays.
I am aware of concerns that thieves can gain easy entry into homes. However many of the suggested improvements can still accommodate security grilles.
In view of the foregoing, it must be apparent that it would be in the best interest of homeowners and builders to make proactive choices in the styles, designs and materials used for home construction. More importantly it is imperative that the government, through the Ministry of Housing and the CHPA, should publish ‘Guyana Building Construction Guidelines.’
Yours faithfully,
Hemwant Persaud