By Dr. Shujaat Hussain Buch
Woh makaan jo sardiyon mein bhi muskan bane,
Jahan roshni ke saath garmi bhi basay.
(A house that smiles even in winter’s chill,
Where warmth and light share space at will)
Winter in Kashmir isn’t just a season; it’s a test of resilience. Even without the snowfall, temperatures have dipped to a numbing -8°C in Srinagar, leaving taps frozen, windowpanes frosted, and heaters struggling to keep up. Many of us wake up in homes that feel as cold as the outside air. At the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), our research into thermal comfort is uncovering practical solutions to make homes warmer, more energy-efficient, and sustainable.
Living the Chill
In Kashmir, Chillai Kalan isn’t just a name—it’s an experience. Imagine waking up on a winter morning and finding the tap frozen solid. Blankets feel like ice, and rooms, despite being indoors, carry the same biting chill as the outdoors. Modern homes, with their thin walls and large single-glazed windows, are ill-equipped to handle this cold. In contrast, traditional homes, with thick mud-and-stone walls and small windows, manage to retain warmth, providing a stark reminder of what we’ve lost in our transition to modernity.
The Challenge of Kashmir’s Climate
(The champion of seasons is the one who builds right,
Balancing warmth and coolness, day and night.)
Kashmir’s climate is one of extremes:
- Winters (December–March): Harsh and unforgiving, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
- Spring (March–May): A transitional period with wide daily fluctuations in temperature.
- Summer (June–September): Mild, with temperatures stabilizing around 15–35°C.
- Autumn (October–November): Gradual cooling leads into the next winter.
These conditions demand houses that adapt seamlessly to seasonal changes. Unfortunately, many modern homes aren’t designed with these climatic realities in mind.
Traditional vs. Modern Homes
Traditional Dhajji-Dewari Homes
These homes are a legacy of Kashmiri ingenuity, designed to thrive in extreme climates.
- Materials: Thick walls made of mud, stone, and timber, with small windows to retain heat.
- Performance in Winter: Indoor temperatures often stay 10–15°C higher than outdoor temperatures, even during subzero nights.
- Performance in Summer: The high thermal mass of these materials keeps interiors cool, with indoor temperatures up to 5°C lower than outdoors.
Modern Brick-and-Mortar Homes
Modern homes may look sleek, but they fall short in thermal performance.
- Materials: Thin walls of bricks and cement mortar, with large single-glazed windows.
- Performance in Winter: Indoor temperatures hover around 5°C, only slightly above freezing, making them heavily reliant on heaters.
- Performance in Summer: Without proper insulation, these homes heat up quickly, becoming uncomfortable.
Findings from IUST Research
At IUST, our research focuses on practical ways to improve thermal comfort. Here’s what we’ve discovered:
- Advanced Insulation: Materials like mineral wool, rigid foam boards, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) can drastically improve heat retention.
- Building Orientation: Homes should face south to maximize solar gain in winter.
- Double-Glazed Windows: Replacing single panes with double-glazed ones significantly reduces heat loss.
- Roof Insulation: Adding polyurethane foam under tin roofs prevents heat escape through the top.
A Case Study: Thermal Comfort Room (TCR)
To test these ideas, we built a Thermal Comfort Room (TCR) at IUST. This small experimental setup allowed us to study how different materials, designs, and ventilation strategies perform.
Contributions from Our Students:
- Group 1 optimized indoor thermal comfort using innovative materials.
- Group 2 analyzed the performance of various insulation techniques.
- Group 3 studied how glazing and sealants affect heat retention.
- Group 4 worked on balancing ventilation and radiation for maximum efficiency.
These findings provide a roadmap for creating homes that are not just warm but also energy-efficient and sustainable.
What You Can Do to Improve Your Home
Making your home winter-ready doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some practical tips:
- Insulate Walls and Roofs: Use mineral wool or EPS for better heat retention.
- Seal the Gaps: Apply weather stripping or silicone sealants around windows and doors.
- Upgrade Windows: If double-glazing isn’t possible, invest in heavy curtains.
- Orient New Builds: Ensure your house faces south to capture the winter sun.
Reviving Traditional Wisdom
Our ancestors understood the challenges of Kashmir’s climate and built homes that adapted to it. Reviving traditional techniques like Dhajji-Dewari, combined with modern materials, offers the best of both worlds—sustainability and comfort.
Imagine a Better Winter
Picture this: A home where you wake up to a warm, sunlit room, not a frosty one. Your tap flows freely, and you don’t have to huddle under layers of blankets just to stay warm. This isn’t a distant dream; it’s entirely achievable with thoughtful design and innovation.
Conclusion
Hum ne sikha hai sardi se jeene ka tareeqa,
Ghar banake jo rahe har mausam ka saathi.
(We have learned the art of living with the cold,
By building homes that stand by us through every season.)
With the right approach, we can ensure that no one has to wake up to frozen taps and icy rooms again. Let’s build not just houses but homes that embrace and protect us, no matter how harsh the winter.
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