The heat

[pwa]

How much power does air con use? It occurred to me that as air con is only needed in very sunny weather it could be run directly off solar panels. No help at night, of course. My wife teaches in a 1990s classroom block that becomes an oven in summer. Opening windows and closing blinds does little to help. But the roof, or one side of it, would be perfect for solar.

[horizon]

How much power does air con use? It occurred to me that as air con is only needed in very sunny weather it could be run directly off solar panels. No help at night, of course. My wife teaches in a 1990s classroom block that becomes an oven in summer. Opening windows and closing blinds does little to help. But the roof, or one side of it, would be perfect for solar.

So this is how it works:

In extreme weather on very hot days for the elderly and vulnerable you use a/c.
Then you extend it for office workers.
And restaurants (for the customers, of course).
Then in the shops.
And in all workplaces. And in the car going home. And in hotels overnight. And therefore why not in the home? And why only when the heat is extreme? And what now is extreme: over 25 deg? Over 20 deg? And indeed why not all the time everywhere? And then find that you don't get on very well in Cornwall when it's hot so now you need it in the local Spar shop. In Cornwall.

Solar or not, free or not, it's still madness.

[pwa]

How much power does air con use? It occurred to me that as air con is only needed in very sunny weather it could be run directly off solar panels. No help at night, of course. My wife teaches in a 1990s classroom block that becomes an oven in summer. Opening windows and closing blinds does little to help. But the roof, or one side of it, would be perfect for solar.

So this is how it works:

In extreme weather on very hot days for the elderly and vulnerable you use a/c.
Then you extend it for office workers.
And restaurants (for the customers, of course).
Then in the shops.
And in all workplaces. And in the car going home. And in hotels overnight. And therefore why not in the home? And why only when the heat is extreme? And what now is extreme: over 25 deg? Over 20 deg? And indeed why not all the time everywhere? And then find that you don't get on very well in Cornwall when it's hot so now you need it in the local Spar shop. In Cornwall.

Solar or not, free or not, it's still madness.

In a classroom where it it is registering 32c and you have to try to get 30 kids to concentrate on the lesson?

[Cyril Haearn]

Just use plug in portable fans for the few days in the year when it is too hot, and put blinds or shades over the windows
In winter put on warm clothes and use the heating less

[pwa]

Just use plug in portable fans for the few days in the year when it is too hot, and put blinds or shades over the windows
In winter put on warm clothes and use the heating less

The 32c is with the blinds over the windows! My wife has tried taking in fans but the kids squabble over where they are placed. And would ten fans use less juice than one aircon unit? It is hard to get through lessons when the kids are too uncomfortable to concentrate and the teacher has sweat dripping off the end of her nose. It would be cooler outside but in a school with over 1200 pupils if one class is seen outside the others want to go out too and lessons end. So the school forbids it.

In winter the kids work with coats and hats on.

What exactly do architects get paid for?

[Cyril Haearn]

One would have thought schools in The Valleys could have been built shaded by the terrifying slopes of the hills

Air-con is a great con, it's the economy stupid, costs a bomb to install, if it does not work one can not just take it back for a refund, needs lots of maintenance, most of the year it is not needed

The kiddies spend too much time at school, maybe they could be scent home if it is too hot

[pwa]

One would have thought schools in The Valleys could have been built shaded by the terrifying slopes of the hills

Air-con is a great con, it's the economy stupid, costs a bomb to install, if it does not work one can not just take it back for a refund, needs lots of maintenance, most of the year it is not needed

The kiddies spend too much time at school, maybe they could be scent home if it is too hot

It isn't in the valleys.

If the kids get sent home the parents have to leave work, and the uproar begins.

[rjb]

Been out this morning, just back and it was 61 °C in the conservatory. is this hot enough to fry an egg?

[pwa]

Been out this morning, just back and it was 61 °C in the conservatory. is this hot enough to fry an egg?

I advise not sitting in there too long. Great for drying the washing though.

[horizon]

In a classroom where it it is registering 32c and you have to try to get 30 kids to concentrate on the lesson?

There are schools and teachers (yes, they exist) who force children to sit in classrooms on blistering hot days to study, indoors. If the children refuse, their parents are imprisoned.

[mercalia]

Been out this morning, just back and it was 61 °C in the conservatory. is this hot enough to fry an egg?

now if you had a thermal couple between there and your room adjoining could generate some power?
seems to be you need to put up some aluminium foil in the windows?

[Mick F]

Been in Plymouth today doing some retail therapy.
Hot in the afternoon, but cloudy earlier, which was nice.

Home now, and it's 31degC full sun without a cloud in the sky ................. sorry, a little hazy at the moment.

[rjb]

Early start tomorrow at the rising sun ?

[bikepacker]

On Wednesday my wife and I rode from Devils Bridge over the mountain roads to a hotel at Staunton on Wye 59 miles. Thursday we did a tough 51 mile ride from there through Hay on Wye and over the Gospel Pass (highest road in Wales) finishing the day at a hotel in Monmouth. Then Friday we cycled 46 miles home. Not great mileage by our years gone by standard but not bad for two old fogies well into their 70s, in this heat and carrying out own luggage.

[horizon]

My wife teaches in a 1990s classroom block that becomes an oven in summer.

I missed that. I hope I didn't cause offence.