THE EDITOR, Sir:ANOTHER SUGGESTION in Wednesday's Gleaner to save electricity by turning off appliances when not in use great, but ...
What about our wastefulness in designing buildings that must use air conditioning and artificial lighting, all day, every day?
Air conditioning, I estimate, takes up 30-40 per cent of our electrical power consumption, but it seems to be off the agenda, always, when I read and hear about conservation measures. Are the 'experts' in their modern offices so hooked on this apparent necessity that objectivity takes second place?
Older buildings are often cooler, using natural ventilation and fans (remember those archaic devices?). So why is the technology of the past not given a scientific basis and applied to modern building design?
But then there is a cultural problem we have not 'stepped up' if we don't work in an air conditioned office, wearing a jacket to keep us warm! What nonsense.
Americans build cities, such as Phoenix, in impossibly hot places and then have to fight wars to provide the oil power to cool them. We don't have such an extreme climate but, as always, want to mimic the over-developed countries.
Computers, whether laptop or desk-top, do not need air conditioning, even if the mini and main frame computers do. So what is the excuse?
In schools, and even more so in the tertiary sector, students are expected to be comfortable in naturally ventilated classrooms, while the office staff must have air conditioning.
What is the explanation for this? Any chance of a change of thinking here?
I am, etc,
PAUL WARD
pgward@cwjamaica.com
Kingston 7
