Vocational School of Justice
SIMPLE MEASURES FOR THERMAL INSULATION
The energy used for heating with the arrival of cold weather is drawing attention. Turkey has consumed 23 billion 952 million kilowatt-hours electricity in last December. It increased up to 6.4% compared to the former year. The experts are suggesting ways to use solar energy in order to maintain the indoor heat.
Haluk Tatari, Lecturer, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, stated that energy savings started at a construction level, however, thermal insulation was possible to achieve with simple measures. Tatari, indicating that choice of glass played an important role in thermal insulation, said, “There are practical measures we can take in our daily lives. Sealant and such mechanical seals around door and window frames get worn off in time. It would be wise to check these and seal rough openings around doors and windows. Floors are an important source of heat loss in buildings. Especially, ceramic, granite, or marble floors cause significant loss of heat. Using carpets, rugs on the floor would minimize the heat loss. Leaving the door open or cracked open while taking a shower would allow warm air and mist to circulate around the house”.
‘Air the house’
Tatari, who suggested that using decorative and sturdy under door draft stoppers in order to prevent warm air to escape, said that using thick curtains was also another effective insulation method. Tatari warned about not to place large furniture items in front or close to the radiators, and said that not airing the house to maintain indoor heat would be harmful to both individual health and to the building.
‘Welcome the sun in your house’
Başak Zeynep Edes, also Lecturer at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, pointed out the importance of lighting. She said, “Another important aspect is lighting. A well designed lighting affects the household both psychologically and physiologically. Warm colors of the light warm the environment as well. We need to make use of sunlight as much as possible. To ensure that, we need to open our curtains when the sun hits the house, and close the curtains when the sun goes down in order to preserve heat.”