Off to the Phils in 2 months (I have questions)

[fred]

Heatwaves - periods of abnormally hot and usually humid weather, are among the most dangerous natural hazards. They appear to be increasingly frequent. Air conditioners - at home, work, or in vehicles - have advantages ( cooling and filtering out atmospheric pollutants ), but also disadvantages -low RH with mucous membrane irritation and breathing difficulties; perhaps also colds and chest infections including, uncommonly, Legionnaires’ disease/pneumonia.

We are still in the extreme heat of this El Nino thing.. We have A/C here in this native house of ours but rarely turn it on as there is no need..
The way Filipino`s build houses here is crazy IMO.. Its similar to how I would design a solar oven.. Most of them are sick...Sick of high bills.

[Michael Parnham]

We are still in the extreme heat of this El Nino thing.. We have A/C here in this native house of ours but rarely turn it on as there is no need..
The way Filipino`s build houses here is crazy IMO.. Its similar to how I would design a solar oven.. Most of them are sick...Sick of high bills.

Still no rain Fred?

[grahamw48]

We are still in the extreme heat of this El Nino thing.. We have A/C here in this native house of ours but rarely turn it on as there is no need..
The way Filipino`s build houses here is crazy IMO.. Its similar to how I would design a solar oven.. Most of them are sick...Sick of high bills.

The house I'll (hopefully soon) be building will have a thick layer of insulation under the roof for starters !

[SimonH]

The house I'll (hopefully soon) be building will have a thick layer of insulation under the roof for starters !

I'm totally ignorant when it comes to things like this, but am very curious as we'll be extending our house in the near future.
One thing I intend to do is replace the existing wooden trusses with metal ones to eliminate the potential problem with termites, but can you explain to me the advantage of insulation. In my mind, hot air rises and therefore any insulation will prevent heat loss, which is great here but surely the opposite of what we want in the Philippines

[Michael Parnham]

I'm totally ignorant when it comes to things like this, but am very curious as we'll be extending our house in the near future.
One thing I intend to do is replace the existing wooden trusses with metal ones to eliminate the potential problem with termites, but can you explain to me the advantage of insulation. In my mind, hot air rises and therefore any insulation will prevent heat loss, which is great here but surely the opposite of what we want in the Philippines

Someone I know built a house in Dumaguete to British standard and the cavity wall insulation and roof insulation worked a treat, kept the house cool the inside walls remained cold, he also used UPVC doors and windows also double glazing shipped from the UK

[grahamw48]

I'm totally ignorant when it comes to things like this, but am very curious as we'll be extending our house in the near future.
One thing I intend to do is replace the existing wooden trusses with metal ones to eliminate the potential problem with termites, but can you explain to me the advantage of insulation. In my mind, hot air rises and therefore any insulation will prevent heat loss, which is great here but surely the opposite of what we want in the Philippines

Just about to shoot off to the airport to catch a plane to Manila ... but,


Insulation works both ways. It stops thermal transfer... whether heat (beating down on the roof, as in the tropics, or trying to exit via the roof, as in winter here in the UK) or cold... as in a fridge, or an airconditioned space.

Good ventilation is also important in hot countries, to create a cool breeze blowing through, where there is no air-conditioning. It also pushes the heat OUT.

[Arthur Little]

Just about to shoot off to the airport to catch a plane to Manila ...

... Bon voyage!

[fred]

I'm totally ignorant when it comes to things like this, but am very curious as we'll be extending our house in the near future.
One thing I intend to do is replace the existing wooden trusses with metal ones to eliminate the potential problem with termites, but can you explain to me the advantage of insulation. In my mind, hot air rises and therefore any insulation will prevent heat loss, which is great here but surely the opposite of what we want in the Philippines

Well insulation is fine but my house doesn't have any because my roof is nipa..
Best advise I can give is install a ridge vent for the whole length of roof and large open eves..My eves are two meters wide at points so that the sun can never touch the walls.
If your "wooden trusses" are still in good shape,why not just give them a couple of coats of Solignum or Woodsaver?