Not the best choice of wording from the BBC as the Chief Medical Officer has begun its attempt to spread panic at the possibility of a decent summer this year. A fair weather friend is one who is with you during the good times but deserts you when things get difficult. I think someone got carried away after reading about 'flu friends' in the swine flu leaflet.
According to the heatwave plan 2009 [pdf] the threshold temperatures for a heatwave are what I would consider to be a decent summer.
Why is the temperature threshold at which media hysteria kicks in higher in the South than the North?
Most of the information being distributed falls squarely into the 'common sense' category from 'drink liquids' to 'sit down in a shady place' to 'open the windows to get a breeze', although the suggestion that we should all paint our houses white is a touch extreme (and, as far as I'm aware, not proven scientifically to make a difference). Why we need such a campaign is beyond me although the BBC does seem to be trying to bang the Global Warming drum this week.
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3 comments:
captainff (note the peace overture?) "although the suggestion that we should all paint our houses white is a touch extreme (and, as far as I'm aware, not proven scientifically to make a difference)."
Well, basically darker colours absorb more heat than lighter ones which is why solar water panels are black rather than white.
It is also well known that if you want a reliable Triumph 2.5 PI or TR5/6 with the same injection, lightert colours are better especially in high summer.
Well, basically darker colours absorb more heat than lighter ones which is why solar water panels are black rather than white.
Indeed. However dark colours also radiate more heat than light ones (hence every single radiator grill is black) so the lighter coloured houses will retain more heat at night, starting the next day at a higher base temperature.
Insulation is probably more important. Older buildings tended to have thicker walls (I'm thinking of the 3ft of stone that was used to construct the French farmhouse a friend bought which caused a few 'moments' as we tried to connect the mains water feed) and as a result stayed cooler as the daytime heat could not easily transfer through to the interior of the building. A relatively modern double skinned wall is not as effective in controlling the transfer of heat.
How is your knee holding up?
captainff "Indeed. However dark colours also radiate more heat than light ones"
Well, yes, but then it depends on what they are made of. (As in what the underlying material is, its specific heat and thermal conductivity)
"(hence every single radiator grill is black)"
Except all the ones that are chrome or silver, OBVIOUSLY!
That said, the actual car radiators are generally darker whether by accident or design. The point you make (inexpertly :) ) is correct.
On the thickness of walls, there is a vast thermal lagg in thick walls either way which is why mud brick internal walls are much better heat regulators than plaster board. On the cavity wall debate, it is down to how well they are insulated.
The knee is holding up well. However the caveat is that the anti inflamatory gel I am using also dulls pain, so there is a lack of natural feedback. I would rather the functions were seperated as I would not have the painkiller so that I can feel how it is getting on.
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