COOLING YOUR HOME:

Electricty-free Techniques
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 Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter One: What is Passive Cooling?
Chapter Two: Advantages of Passive Cooling
Chapter Three: Historical Application of Passive Cooling
Techniques
Chapter Four: Modern Application of Passive Cooling Techniques
Chapter Five: Techniques for Passive Cooling Application in a
Modern Home
Introduction

It wouldnt be surprising to find that half of ones salary is spent on electricity. This expensive
lifestyle has raised issues and prompted the question, is there a way we can do without power?
Well, we cant entirely do without power because at one point or another we might need it, but
there are other ways we can cut down power usage significantly.
Many people assume that much of their electricity is consumed in lighting, TV, stereos, and
cooking. They forget the fact that heating and cooling the house also consumes a lot of power.
Therefore, they end up cutting down on the least important things, leaving out the most
extravagant ones, and hence, their power usage does not reduce as significantly as they thought it
would. Heating and cooling houses is quite expensive and hence, should be given more weight
when it comes to reducing power consumption. How? There are various ways to make the
ambiance of your home as comfortable to live in as possible and yet, use the least power
possible; actually, even use no power at all.
Well, others may say that their electric air-conditioners will do just as well for them. But picture
a scenario where power is out and its 100 out there; no air conditioning, no ice water. In this
case, I find it necessary to introduce you to passive cooling. This is a technique that has existed
since the ancient times and has been adopted in the modern world.
The importance of passive cooling cannot be emphasized any further. Many people probably
never thought of employing the technique in their homes because they had no clue of what exactly
it entailed or how to go about it. You, however, after reading through this book, are well-
acquainted with passive cooling, its advent, its history, the techniques involved and what effect it
brings. If these techniques were used centuries ago and proved to be effective, there is no reason
for them to be dumped in these modern times. Well, things have changed- lifestyles have changes,
building materials have changed, architectural designs have advanced, and the world climate is
also not the way it used to be. However, passive cooling techniques are versatile enough to be
used in almost any type of building.
There are many reasons to adopt passive house building. The benefits are already clear. It would
work well for both us and our environment if passive houses were the new building and
construction revolution. There are blatant efforts and campaigns advocating for environmental
preservation. We could support these efforts by changing the shelters which we choose to inhabit.
A passive house is not only comfortable and economic but also environmental friendly. Passive
houses could be the breakthrough to achieving an energy efficient world.
Critics may argue that ancient architectural designs are inapplicable in the modern world. Well,
the point is not to abandon our homes for pit houses or earth-sheltered ones. The idea is to
incorporate these ancient technologies that were just as effective then, into our modern
architecture. I have just mentioned some of the modern buildings that have used these ancient
passive cooling techniques and remained classy. Besides, as clich as it may sound, old is gold.
A jaali can still keep your house beautiful while maintaining a favorable ambiance. With the
sophisticated architectural skills present in the world today, it wouldnt be very hard to add a
simple modern twist to the ancient techniques to make them more befitting of a place in the
modern house.
Chapter One: What is Passive Cooling?

Global warming is a very intense topic, these days! This is especially true as we can see that the
sea levels are rising and the Earth is getting warmer! It is the human race which is responsible
for this phenomenon! We, the humans are emitting so much pollution in the atmosphere, especially
Carbon Dioxiede which traps the heat that we are causing a rise in temperature? Can we do
anything to deal with the situation? Yes, we can!

Passive cooling is a technique employment in architecture and building design whose aim is to
control the climatic conditions of the ambiance in the structure in which it has been used. This
technique focuses on controlling the thermal conditions of the building. It regulates heat loss and
gain so as to keep the atmosphere temperate. This way, the occupants of the building are able to
live in comfortable thermal conditions.
Passive cooling can work in two distinctive ways: it can either prevent the heat from entering the
building or eliminating the heat from the building. The latter is referred to as natural cooling. It is
referred to as natural as it makes use of natural elements within the structure; it uses the natural
environment. This, alongside a proper architectural design, enables the occurrence of passive
cooling. However, the architecture is not the only aspect that needs to be considered, but the site
of the building too. The natural environment surrounding of the building also influences the
effectiveness of passive cooling as it affects how heat is absorbed or dissipated. There are
natural heat sinks- the atmosphere, the wind and the ground/soil.
Passive cooling enables the regulation of heat without the use of power; it uses natural elements.
Some mechanical devices could, however, be incorporated into the passive cooling system to
improve the cooling effect. They integrate with the passive cooling process and work in
synchrony to allow the ambiance to remain cool and comfortable to live in. In such a situation,
the cooling system is referred to as a hybrid cooling system.
Passive cooling techniques can be categorized into two depending on the functionality:
i) Preventative- they prevent heat from the external environment from infiltrating
into the building. Therefore, they prevent heat gain.
ii) Heat dissipation and Modulation- heat is dissipated by transferring it to the
climate from the heat sinks. The building is allowed to hold and release heat through
the process of natural cooling.
In simpler words, we could say passive cooling is a way to help you economize on power. Why
use money to achieve the same effect you would achieve free of charge? Again, passive cooling
is not only friendly to your pocket but also the environment as it is as natural as it gets: no
emissions whatsoever.
Merits of passive cooling
i) Ensure comfortable living conditions in the indoor environment
ii) It has low maintenance needs
iii) There is no power/electricity consumed- it is self-sufficient
iv) The techniques employed are natural and hence, environmental friendly.
Chapter Two: Advantages of Passive Cooling
As mentioned earlier, passive cooling techniques did not come into existence recently. They have
existed for centuries and are undergoing modifications and improvements. Passive cooling
techniques allow the manipulation of natural elements of the environment- the natural breeze, the
variant temperature, convectional currents, radiations, evaporation etc. With the ever fluctuating
costs of power, there is growing need to reduce power consumption. Apart from increasing
expenses, continuous and excessive consumption of power also depreciates the environment.
Therefore, we have to deal with- saving the environment as well as our money.
The main aim of employing cooling techniques is to eliminate heat. However, we do not have to
use power to enable this. Passive cooling ensures that you are able to keep your home cool
without necessarily incurring extra power costs. That is the primary difference between the
passive cooling technique and other mechanical techniques. The only things you will need to
enable passive cooling are evaporation, radiation and convection. Luckily, the environment has
got you covered. You may not need any intermediary devices. However, as mentioned earlier,
some passive cooling systems incorporate mechanical devices such as pumps or motors in their
system. Then, they are referred to as a hybrid cooling system. Even so, these systems minimize
the use of electricity to ensure only as least as possible is used.
There are many advantages of passive cooling
i) You do not have to incur extra expenses during extreme weather
Sometimes, during and people tend to think it is the perfect time to get a heating system for their
homes. What they dont bear in mind is that there are significantly extra costs which will be
incurred. When everyone installs a heating system in their houses, electricity consumption
increases, demand rises, costs go up and the Earth suffers. With the passive cooling system, you
dont have to push yourself to the limit to create space for extra expenses. You will get your
house cool or warm enough to your desired consistency, all at zero cost. Gas prices wont have
to go up because of increased power consumption. If at all any power has to be used in a passive
cooling system, it should not exceed 15 kWh.
ii) The system is sustainable
Study shows than compared to a typical modern building, a passive house uses up to 90% less
energy. How impressive is that! You are able to save up to 90% energy. This also tells you how
extravagant with natural resources todays person has become. Today, people want a cooling
system for the summer and a heating system for winter. Probably, this is veracious because
people are not well-acquainted with energy saving techniques or are unfamiliar with the
existence of passive cooling techniques. Remember, the less energy we consume, the less
emission there will be, and the less the earth gets destroyed.
How exactly is a passive house sustainable? It is sustainable in that there will be no need for
installing heaters and coolers; only natural elements that are already readily available will be
needed. The resources you would have incurred in installing the heaters and coolers, you can
instead use to create more natural passive cooling and heating features around your home.
For a passive house, as studies reveal, temperatures remain stable even when the external
temperatures are very low. For instance, one study conducted on a passive house showed that the
temperatures in the house remained above 20C even when the outdoor temperatures fell to
-14C without the use of any heating systems. This just proves how sustainable a passive cooling
system is, and its importance in energy conservation. A passive house promotes the effort by
environmentalists to preserve the climate and environment at large.

iii) The system is not expensive to install; it is affordable

You are already of how economic the passive cooling system proves to be. It does not only
reduce the long-term costs but is also cheap to install. You may have to employ a different
building design but since you wont necessarily require conventional devices. These
conventional devices only add to the expenses of building. Therefore, building a passive house
is significantly cheaper than the typical traditional house.
Well, in some countries where the technology and expertise for building passive houses are not
readily available, building one may turn out to be a little costly. However, the extra expenses are
canceled out by those saved in the long term. The costs of building a passive house may also vary
between different countries. Yes, a conventional home may be somewhat less expensive to build,
but you have to bear in mind the expenses which come after that. Investing in a passive house
could be the best economic decision you make.
iv) Enhanced comfort
One of the primary reasons people embrace passive houses, besides the economy factor, is the
level of comfort the house brings. In many houses today, the indoor temperatures vary with the
external climatic conditions. Sometimes, the indoors become so unbearably hot that they become
impossible to occupy. This occurs especially in countries where the climate is warm most of the
time. The contrary happens in a passive house: even when the external atmosphere is irritatingly
warm, the indoor temperature remains consistent at the average room temperature.
Everyone wants their afternoon at home to be comfortable as they take their siesta or simply relax
to some music. In a passive house, all the air making its way into the house is brought to a
favorable temperature so that the external atmosphere does not mess with that in the indoors. Any
extra warmth in the house is eliminated when the indoors is warm enough while extra warmth is
brought in when the weather turns cold outside. For instance, when the temperatures outside fall
to about -10C, the indoors will maintain at approximately 16- 20C. The chilly air from outside
gets heated before occupying the indoors. This way, you wont have to freeze in the winter
weather. No matter what the weather conditions are, your comfort wont have to be disrupted.
A passive house is well-ventilated, and hence, you wont have to breathe stale air. Stale air
makes the room seem stuffy and rather dull. It also paves ways to a variety of maladies. The
ventilation system in a passive house is also well-configured to prevent incoming air from
carrying along dust, pollen or other allergens. Also, in the traditional houses, it is easy for air to
condense in the house, hence creating a damp or very humid atmosphere. The dampness
sometimes results in the growth of mould and other fungi, which are risk factors for various
ailments. It is always comforting to know that you are well-protected in the very comfort of your
home. Therefore, all the more reason you need to get a passive house in place of the conventional
house.
v) It is a versatile system
One characteristic of a proper system is flexibility. Flexibility/versatility is exactly what the
passive cooling system exhibits. When planning to have your house constructed, this is one of the
elements that would act as a plus. Flexibility means that the system is not restricted to a single
building or architectural design, nor is it limited to a particular construction method. It does not
matter what material your house is made of, but it could be customized to allow for installation
and functioning of a passive cooling system.
The passive house building technique can be employed for different types of buildings too. It can
work for residential homes, industrial buildings, business premises, institutional facilities and
other types of buildings. With todays improved building technology, it is possible to incorporate
a passive cooling system in almost any type of building.
Chapter Three: Historical Application of Passive Cooling
Techniques
Humans have always wanted to live a better life; to make life easier and cheaper. In this regard,
since time immemorial, we have come up with new inventions, starting with the simplest tools of
the Paleolithic man. Passive cooling is not a thing that started recently. This technique had existed
long before air conditioners were invented. We can trace the existence of passive cooling
techniques in the ancient words, from a few examples where they were applied extensively.
Passive cooling was commonly used in homes. A house that employed this system was known as
a passive house. The passive house used little or no energy to maintain the ambiance at favorable
temperatures. The houses were not very simple to design and construct, especially given that
there wasnt sufficient technology as there is now. However, many of the modern techniques that
employ passive cooling techniques borrow from some of the technology that existed in the
ancient times. A passive house was not easy to accomplish at that time: the site needs to be
suitable, there has to be ample space etc. In modern homes where architectural designs and
technology have improved, passive houses have become easier to construct.
The ancient techniques which were used for passive cooling have been adopted by many in a bid
to reduce energy consumption while increases its efficiency. Some of the earliest cultures to
employ passive cooling techniques include the Romans, Greeks, and Pueblo Indians. They
strategized the positions of their homes so that their houses faced the equator. This ensured that
they got ample amount of sunlight during the day. The material such as adobe-covered hay and
stone used for their houses would absorb the daytime heat then release it when it got cold it the
night. This was a simple yet effective technique. With time, more techniques were invented to
allow for more effective passive cooling systems. Let us look at some of the ancient applications
of passive cooling techniques around the world.
Pithouse in Japan

Pit houses were a common feature in Japan. They were more popular during the Jomon Period,
between 2500 and 300 BCE. These houses were allowed to go into the ground up to 5 feet (1.5
meters). The roofs of the houses were kept above the ground and held by tall columns. Building
the house allowed for more space and was also a good cooling technique. The houses would
remain warm during the cold seasons, and cool during hot weather. Since the walls were earth,
they acted as natural air conditioners. Soil temperature, below the top dirt layer, is usually
invariant throughout the year. Therefore, Japanese pit houses did not experience significant
fluctuations in temperature.
The houses didnt have to be dug straight downwards. They were only dug so for convenience
purposes. Otherwise, were they dug sideways the effects would still be the same. The cooling
effect is the same that is experienced in caves. Naturally occurring caves usually have constant
internal temperatures. It is for this reason that archeological arts have been able to survive on the
walls of the caves for many centuries after they were created. Such an example is the Lascaux
cave paintings found in France that have existed for about 30, 000 years.
Viking Reserve Pit Houses

Vikings were other people who employed the passive cooling techniques, like the Japanese, they
also made use of pit houses though some for different reasons. In Sweden, there are pit houses
that were used by the Vikings in the ancient times. Since Vikings were craftsmen, some of the pit
houses were used to keep crafts; they were used as workshops. This would preserve the crafts
for long since the temperatures in the pit houses were stable.
Sod house
In the United States, there was also the extensive construction of passive houses. Settlers in the
Great Plains made sod houses to keep their homes cool amidst hot climate. The sod houses were
built on the prairies where they were dug out of them. Such an example of a sod house in the
United States can be found in Nebraska, Custer County.
Traditional homes in Malaysia

The traditional Malaysians build unique houses that comprised of exterior walls that had shutters
that could be closed and open at will. The houses were also raised above the ground. The stilts
allowed cool air to move from the ground and up into the house. The roof was vented to allow
warm air in the house to escape. Therefore, there was a systematic flow of air: cold air in, warm
air out. This flow enabled the house to remain cool at all times. Such houses can be seen in
Langkawi in a historical site called Makam Mahsuri.
Houses dug into the ground, and those built above the ground were a common feature in the
ancient world. These were evident in Scandinavia, Asian cultures, some European cultures and
in the Great Plains of the United States. Pit houses made use of the invariability of ground
temperatures to ensure temperatures in the houses remained favorable to allow inhabitation. The
earth-sheltered house remained in favorable in both cold and warm seasons as in the cold the
ground was warm, while, in the hot season, the ground remained cool. Other cultures also
embraced cave houses, others rock shelters while others opted for cliff dwellings. In countries
such as Mali, there is evidence on in-hill building by the Dogon people. In Skara Brae, Scotland,
there are some ancient underground buildings that employed the cooling technique similar to that
used in pit houses. Some of these constructions are older than 5,000 years. The ancient building
techniques, therefore, not only ensured a cool ambiance but also enhanced the longevity of the
houses.
Ancient houses were designed to allow manipulation of the natural elements to allow passive
cooling and heating. Those that were in warm and wet climates were built in such a way to
regulate humidity. Houses such as those in Malaysia are a good example. Their walls are also
made from material that does not absorb much heat during the day so as to keep the daytime
temperatures favorable. The free-flowing air was used to enable heat transfer and circulation.
We have already discussed the existence of passive cooling techniques that did not require power
during the ancient times. There are also some techniques that were used then and have found their
way into modern architectural designs. There are three techniques, in particular, that have
extensively been used in modern buildings and structures. In the contemporary world where
green building is being emphasized and advocated for, these techniques come in handy. Here are
the three techniques.
Stepwells

A stepwell, known as Baoli in Hindi, is a natural air cooling technique. It is basically a pool of
water or a small water body that is build below the ground, or built on the ground but surrounded
by raised walls above the ground.
The Baoli came into existence more than 1500 years ago. When it was first built, people used it
to shelter themselves from the scorching desert heat. The Baoli has seen many modifications and
is today used as a passive cooling technique to regulate the condition of the ambiance. The
technique does not employ the use of electricity so is natural. It creates a microclimate whereby
the natural elements are harnessed to provide favorable conditions for operation.
The stepwell itself has a unique structure. The baoli is made up of a deep and broad water pool
placed at the base of the building with steps enclosing it. The rest of the structure is raised above
the baoli. The stepwell uses a simple principle: heat absorption and evaporation. The water in
the pool absorbs heat from surrounding air then it evaporates to leave the air cool. This technique
is simple yet very efficient and effective.
Wind catchers
Wind catchers have different names with which they are referred to in different cultures. In
Farsi, they are called badgir, barjeel in Arabic, while other cultures refer to them as wind
chimneys, wind towers, cooling towers or solar chimneys. Whichever the name, wind catchers
perform one basic function- to catch wind, or in better elaboration, they intercept wind to let
air flow naturally in buildings. Their use is more common in the Middle East though they have
also found way into other parts of the world.

The functioning of wind catchers is not very sophisticated. The function occurs in the following
ways:
i) The wind is captured through an opening in the capped tower then enters the
chimney and travels through it to create a flow of air in the downwards direction.
ii) Warm air that is less dense than cool air rises and escapes through the tunnel,
leaving cool air to occupy the created space. This creates a breeze.
iii) Warm air enters through a ganat tunnel then travels underground for cooling.
This action forces the underground air to move upward via the tower.
Traditionally, wind catchers had a regular cross-section that never varied with height. In the late
1980s they were classified under the following factors:
i) Flow concept:
i) Unidirectional- wind catchers fell under this category if wind entered through
the top then allowed to find its way into the house at the ground level.
ii) Bi-directional- when the wind catcher had divisions along its length to allow
air to enter through a louve from the side facing the wind, travel through the tower to
the ground level and then allowed to move up again to find an exit on the leeward
 side.
ii) Cross-sectional shape- the traditional wind catchers were made in two shapes:
either square or rectangle. They were made of brick that influenced these shapes.
However, the more modern wind catchers have adopted a circular shape.
iii) Their orientation regarding the direction of the wind- the rectangular wind
catchers had a long axis that was placed perpendicular to the wind.
iv) Moist internal surface- the internal walls of the tower were moistened using
drip irrigation. The drip irrigation system was configured to keep the tower
perimeters always wet.
Jaali (Rajasthani Architecture)

Indian architecture, Jaali in particular, was another technique used for passive cooling. In
Rajasthani architecture, the exterior of building was fitted with claddings of perforated screens
called Jaali. The jaali were, and still are, very effective in cooling the premises. The jaali is
typical of Rajasthani architecture and is a common feature in Indian homes. It also makes use of
the natural elements in the environment to keep the ambiance temperate.
In jaali, the building is clad with two layers. The double-layered cladding is meant to protect the
building from harsh climatic conditions. Jaali acts with the same principle used in a thermos
flask. The cladding buffers against excessive heat gain or loss. The outer wall of the classing is
placed four feet away from the inner wall. This way, air is allowed to circulate and hence, the
building is ventilated. The outer wall reduced the amount of heat gained directly by the inner
walls which also heat up the interior of the building. The perforated screen allows light to pass
through moderately hence ensures illumination but with a slight shade. Jaali has been embraced
widely because it achieves three things: heat regulations, illumination and provides privacy.
These three techniques have proved to work efficiently in providing a cool ambiance as well as
some other benefits as discussed. They are extensively used in India and some Asian cultures but
are also embraced in other parts of the world. The three techniques can be used independently
but could also be used integrated for a more desirable, cool and ambient indoor atmosphere. For
instance, one institution in India, Pearl Academy of Fashion, makes use of both jaali and a
modernized version of baoli. This is because the Jaipur area in which it is located is usually very
hot- averagely 45 C during the day- and hence, the need for more than one cooling technique.
Chapter Four: Modern Application of Passive Cooling Techniques

v) Modern Wind Catchers

Wind catchers have existed for long and still continue to exist. There are distinctively four types
of wind catcher techniques.
iii) One-sided towers
The opening in the tower faces only the direction of the prevailing wind so as to capture the wind
in that direction. There is only one opening in the tower on the windward side.
iv) Two-sided tower
Just as the name suggests, there are two windows (openings) on the tower. The windows are
smaller than those on the one-sided tower. This type on windcatcher is, however, more efficient
than its counterpart mentioned above. It circulated air better and hence produces a better cooling
effect. It functions by sucking and blowing air into the rest of the building.
v) Four, six, or eight-sided towers
The number of openings in the tower makes it bigger than both the one-sided and two-sided wind
towers. This wind tower is tall and hence, captures more airflow. The range of the number of
windows is dependent on the particular climate of the region. A region with frequent and stronger
winds will have the upper side of the range, i.e., eight openings.
vi) Cylindrical wind towers
These are more modern wind towers. Being more contemporary, you can decode that they have
enhanced efficiency and better performance than the previous three wind towers. Their
cylindrical shaped brings about this improved efficiency.
Examples of modern wind catchers
vi) Zion National Park, Utah is a modern application of wind catchers. The wind
catchers have been customized with the addition of a few more devices that aid in
temperature regulation. However, it still uses the same approach of traditional wind
catchers
vii) Borujerdi ha house, central Iran. It was constructed in 1857 by the Persians.
The wind catchers are two and are used to provide cool conditions to the courtyard
of the building.
viii) Golestan Palace, Tehran
ix) Isa bin Ali House, Bahrain
Other examples of modernized versions of wind catchers include the Kensington Oval cricket
ground found in Barbados, which was built by Arup Associates, and the Saint-Etienne
Mtropole's Znith Rhne-Alpes which was built by Foster and Partner firm. These architectural
buildings have wind catchers whose designs are typical of the Arab wind catchers, but with a
modern twist. The functionality is still similar- the tower captures the wind which is allowed to
travel into the building and then scatters around.
vi) Modern applications of Jaali
Picturesque
Glass bottles were placed within roofs in a pattern, and they seemed to create an alluring
picturesque interior. However, the idea did not spread quite as expected due to some issues that
arose. These issues included breaking of bottles, shifting of glass and also leakages created
problems.
Later on, the idea has been improved and made better. Today, jaali roofs have been employed to
provide the same effect. The Jaali roofs make the premise more appealing. The jaali blocks are
also embedded in concrete slabs to make the roof appear quite marvelous.
Skylights
Jaali has also been used to make skylights out of roofs. Light entering through the roof is
regulated through the perforated roofs. In hot regions, this design is a perfect replacement for
glass skylights that do not filter the bright light. The jaali skylight with miniature holes allows
filtration of soft light.
Jaali do not only replace glass skylights but windows too. This is evident in some hot areas like
Rajasthan. The perforated windows also filter the light that enters the house thus regulating the
temperatures.
Since the windows and roofs cannot be closed completely, perforated ones remain the most
favorable option. However, when choosing an appropriate jaali design for either the roof or
window, it is necessary to have the daylight factor in mind. The jaali has to let in ample amount
of light while preventing excessive heat. Installing the perforated roofs is not too much of a task
such that it will need special architectural expertise; no. The roof is easily installable. The basic
functioning of jaali roofs as a replacement for glass is the reduction of infiltrating light.
Jaali blocks
Today, jaali blocks are made as hollowed bricks. These brick are extensively used in the
construction industry especially in the Asian countries. The bricks are used with steel frames.
They are placed in the framework that is already fabricated to appropriate sizes and joined with
mortar. Cross beams and edge beams may also be necessary, but this depends on the area being
covered. The light entering passing through the roof will thus be very minimal.
Jaali blocks with full voids are light weight as they are about 2-3 inches in thickness. They are,
therefore, easy and ideal to use in construction. When using jaali blocks for the roof, the top can
have glass added, and the fabrication gently sloped to prevent the entry of rainwater. The light
entering through the jaali is limited hence giving the room a soft touch. This effect, when used in
courtyard roofs, turns out very appealing.
Some people may tend to feel insecure with a jaali roof when the blocks seem large. In this case,
roof support is reinforced with mild steel guard bar roads which are welded to act as support to
from a grill fabrication. This way, the jaali roof appears to be secure.
Outdoor roofs
Since the Jaali roof is perforated, it can allow for three things- lights, air and rain. Practically, it
is not very suitable for indoor purposes, unless you opt to add glass to the jaali roof to prevent
the rain. It is best suited for the outdoors. Even so, there should not be an upper floor above the
jaali roof. Steel is light and, therefore, even while the jaali roof is incorporated with steel, it is
still not cumbersome.
Jaali has many applications in the modern architecture. The fact that it is easy to install, maintain
and also aesthetic makes it quite a favorable option. It can be used for indoor roofs, outdoor
roofs and for windows. In hot climate regions, jaali comes in handy as it regulates the amount of
light getting into the indoors while still ensuring the daylights aspect is maintained.

vii) Modern stepwells

Unfortunately, stepwells have not been extensively used in these modern times. Apart from the
few ancient structures which still stand today, very few others make use of them. Today, you will
find stepwells gracing huge maisonettes and rich people residences and also large, prominent
hotels. One modern stepwell can be found in the Pearl Academy of Fashion in Jaipur, India. An
example of an existing ancient stepwell is the Chand Baori in India. Many other stepwells have
been shut down around the country.
A close associate of the stepwell is the step pond that is similar in many ways but also has
several disparities. The step pond was usually built near temples whereas stepwells were sited
away from noise. Step ponds are nearer the ground surface and experience sunlight whereas
stepwells were built deep away from the surface and were even barely visible. Again, step
ponds commonly adopt a rectangular shape while stepwells are linear in shape. However, the
two have an almost similar structure. The mentioned disparities are the ones that help you
distinguish between them.
Chapter Five: Techniques for Passive Cooling Application in a
Modern Home

It is possible to cool your home naturally without using outrageous amounts of power. We have
already identified that much of the energy consumed in the house comes from heating and cooling.
Therefore, to cut our energy consumption, we need to employ techniques that will achieve these
functions while using the least or no energy at all. There are two ways that you could apply
passive cooling techniques in your home:
1. Preventing heat
2. Eliminating heat
Lets look at some of these techniques that can work conveniently.
Preventing Heat
There are 3 major ways which you could use to prevent heat from entering the house:
i) Insulating
ii) Shading
iii) Using reflective barriers
Insulating
Insulation achieves two things: it helps keep your house warm in cold weather and cool when it
is hot. It can be done by caulking and/or weatherstripping. Most modern homes have their attics
insulated and a lot of heat is absorbed through the roof. Insulating the attic prevents the radiation
of heat to other parts of the house hence, keeping it cool. You could also insulate your house with
fiberglass that works just as well. Fiberglass is expensive to install but the long-term economic
benefits will prove worth it. When doors and windows are caulked, the warm air is prevented
from entering the house to increase the indoor temperatures.
Reflective Barriers
Passive cooling could also be achieved by reflecting away excessive heat. This could be
achieved in various ways. You could start by changing the color of the house. Darker colors
absorb a lot of heat from the suns radiation. This heat is then transferred to the indoor space
through conduction and convection. The house ends up being too warm. Therefore, to avoid
absorption of radiant heat, it would be most appropriate to color your house with bright colors.
This way, excessive heat will be reflected away.
Shading
Shading is the most natural way you could use to bring a cooling effect to your home. It is easy,
very effective, and most importantly, cheap. You could actually save up to 40% if you employed
shading as a cooling technique. There are several ways through which shading could be done to
achieve the cooling effect. They include: using drapes and blinds and landscaping.
1. Landscaping
To keep it as natural as possible, you could landscape using vegetation. You could use trees,
shrubs or even plant vines that can provide ample shade to your home. When a wind or breeze
blows through the shade, it carries with it the cool air into the house thus, bringing the cooling
effect. Trees are tall and leafy hence will create enough shade. Shrubs, on the other hand, cover
the lower parts of walls and prevent heat gain in these parts.
2. Drapes and Blinds
Drapes are an effective way of reducing heat gain by the house walls, and also maintaining
indoor temperatures in cold seasons. When bright colored drapes are placed against the walls,
they help reduce heat gain significantly as they also reflect the excessive heat. Blinds can be used
to regulate the amount of light entering the house hence, regulating the rate at which the house gets
heated up. Drapes are more effective in preventing heat gain than blinds. When installing blinds,
you should place the more reflective side facing outwards so as to reflect more heat. Using shade
screens/sun screens are also an effective way to prevent or regulate the sunlight entering through
the windows. The shade screens are variable: you could use shade cloths which are much lighter
and easier to install, or the thicker bamboo blinds which can work more effectively. Shade
screens, however, block much light- about 50-90% of the light hitting the window- hence may
reduce visibility through the window.
Eliminating Heat
There are many ways through which you can use to remove heat from your house.
Thermal siphoning
This can be achieved by creating a favorable passage for moving air. You should leave the
lowest windows on the windward side open to allow breeze to flow in. Interior doors should be
left open too. You should then proceed to open the windows on the upstairs. This way, wind
enters through the lower windows, moves through the house carrying war air with it, and then
leaves through the upper windows. This is referred to as thermal siphoning.
Vents
Placing vents on the roof ensures your attic is well-ventilated hence, reducing the amount of heat
which accumulates in the upper part of the house. When heat accumulates in the roof area, it
moves down to the other parts of the house hence increasing the indoors temperature. You should
place the vents at the roof end and a few inches between the ends. Roof vents are not difficult to
install and are cheap too.
Another favorable place to install vents to ensure the attic is well-ventilated is along ridges and
beneath their shingles. Along the ridges, you should place a ventilation system that should be
well laid out and continuous. This way, you wont need to install turbines or vents with louvers.
 Fans
Fans on the ceiling are a more favorable alternative to air conditioning. One, they are way
cheaper and also consume very little power. The fans can be regulated to consume even less
power, and still keep the room cool enough and comfortable. Fans are also easier to install and
more readily available. There can help you save much on cooling the house.
Table of Contents
Introduction 5
Chapter One: What is Passive Cooling? 7
Chapter Two: Advantages of Passive Cooling 9
Chapter Three: Historical Application of Passive Cooling Techniques 12
Chapter Four: Modern Application of Passive Cooling Techniques 20
Chapter Five: Techniques for Passive Cooling Application in a Modern
23
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