An engineer from the UK recognizes that what he’s suggesting is a “totally eccentric idea.”
He recently debuted a Heatwave Toolkit with low-cost DIY suggestions to combat the heat.
Summer can be one of the worst, and most dangerous, seasons for those that don’t have easily accessible options to combat the heat. It can be even more insufferable if you live in a place with lots of windows. Faced with all those windows and the record-breaking heat, what can you possibly do?
One engineer has a rather weird but cheap answer: Coat them with yogurt.
A DIY heat screen. UK-based engineer and environmentalist Tom Greenhill is the mastermind behind this idea. The concept is as simple as it sounds. As reported by Dezeen, Greenhill suggests dipping a paint roller in yogurt and coating your windows with a layer. He says that this should reflect light and heat in the same way that other window products do. In the end, you’ll end up with a windows that look like they have ceramic frit texture.
Considering the cost and skill involved in other specialized solutions, Greenhill says that yogurt is a pretty good remedy, pointing out that it’s cheap, doesn’t smell, and doesn’t attract insects. It’s also easy to apply and won’t fall off unless there’s heavy rain.
"I've put green roofs and all these landscaping elements in, specified external shading, deep window reveals, moving external shades," Greenhill told Dezeen. "These are all fantastically useful, but most people don't have the agency to do that.
The ideal target for yogurt-coated windows. In Greenhill’s view, this DIY solution could be an answer for renters, people who live in areas that prohibit changes to their buildings or homes, and people who simply can’t afford to spend money on other solutions.
How to turn yogurt into your home’s heat shield. If you’re ready to jump on the yogurt train, Greenhill’s already done the trial-and-error work so you don’t have to.
First, he suggests you apply the coat of yogurt to the exterior of your windows, adding that this is more effective for cooling. The coat stops the sun’s rays from penetrating the home’s thermal envelope and then getting stuck inside, Greenhill explained.
As for what type of yogurt to use, the engineer says any type will do. The ones with a higher amount of fat will provide a coat that’s thicker, while the lower fat yogurts will give the windows a translucent effect. You’ll only need about a teaspoon per window, according to Dezeen.
Notably, he recommends against using a paint brush for the project. In his experience, it doesn’t work very well. A paint roller will do the trick, though.
Getting the word out. This might not be the last time you hear about yogurt-coated windows. Greenhill is trying to get the word out about this DIY technique. He’s hoping to obtain funding in the future so he can carry out laboratory tests on yogurt heat screens and obtain precise data about how effective the method is.
Image | ser ge
Related | A U.S. City Is ‘Depaving’ Its Streets to Combat the Heat. It Has an Ally: NASA
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