The temperate climate of Kashmir and upper reaches of Jammu, marked by harsh winters with sub-zero temperatures, presents significant challenges for housing in the region. The existing architectural designs are ill-equipped to handle these cold conditions, leading to homes that fail to provide adequate thermal comfort and proper ventilation. This results in cold indoor environments that contribute to increased winter mortality and morbidity, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like the elderly and children. Research shows that prolonged exposure to low temperatures in homes can lead to serious health issues such as raised blood pressure, strokes, respiratory diseases, and exacerbation of conditions like arthritis. The lack of proper insulation and heating further aggravates these health risks, underscoring the urgent need for better-designed homes that can ensure warmth, ventilation, and overall well-being for residents of J&K during the harsh winter months.

Improper ventilation during the winter months is a major health concern in Kashmiri homes, where residents often seal their living spaces to conserve heat. This results in the buildup of stale air having high concentration of CO2 , which can lead to fatigue, headaches, and an increased risk of respiratory infections. Additionally, poor ventilation can aggravate asthma, irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and trigger allergic reactions. Unlike the tropical plains of India, where natural ventilation is sufficient during winter, cold regions like Kashmir face a unique challenge. With limited airflow and reduced exposure to sunlight due to poor home orientation, the lack of proper air change and sunlight contributes to a sense of tiredness and lethargy, further impacting the overall health and well-being of residents during the cold winter months.

In Kashmir, where space heating and hot water are essential for much of the year, energy consumption in homes is a major concern due to poorly insulated building structures and inefficient water heating systems. These inefficiencies result in significant energy loss, which can be mitigated through the adoption of passive house techniques. By incorporating better insulation, air tightness, and energy-efficient heating systems, homes in the region could significantly reduce their energy consumption. Currently, buildings in Jammu and Kashmir consume around 50% of the electrical energy against 35% at national level, but by designing homes with energy efficiency in mind, there is great potential for substantial energy savings. This shift towards energy-efficient homes would not only lower energy costs but also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, playing a key role in mitigating climate change and global warming.

The growing trend of designing homes with multi-slope roofs has posed a significant challenge to the installation of solar rooftop systems in Kashmir. While older houses, with simpler and flatter roof designs, can accommodate solar panels effectively, the complex roof structures of newer homes with multiple gables and slopes make it difficult to install solar panels of adequate capacity. These intricate designs are not suitable for the uniform placement of solar panels, which require large, uninterrupted surfaces to capture maximum sunlight. As a result, despite the potential benefits of solar energy, many new houses are unable to utilize this sustainable energy source, limiting efforts to reduce energy consumption and combat climate change. Multi-slope roofs, which feature multiple pitches and angles, can be difficult to work with when installing solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The irregular angles make it challenging to position the panels optimally for maximum solar gain, which is crucial for generating enough energy to meet the building’s needs. Additionally, multi-slope roofs are often more complex to insulate, fixing of gutters for rain water is difficult, leading to higher costs and potential inefficiencies in energy conservation. Their design also increases construction and maintenance costs, making them less economical in the long run. Moreover, these roofs can pose safety risks to workers such as carpenters, solar technicians, and painters, who may have to navigate steep or uneven surfaces during installation or repairs.

Thermal power plants supply about 43% of the J&K’s electricity, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas........

© Greater Kashmir