Grand homes in England all have names.
Some estates in New Zealand also have names and I thought our homestead might benefit from one as well.
I have decided to name it Rothera after the British base in Antarctica.
The British Rothera has been in the news lately because two twin otter aircraft flew there from Canada and then one flew on to the South Pole to medevac two ill scientists.
Conisdering that it is deep winter down there right now this was a pretty impressive feat.
My house is named Rothera because it allows the winter cold to seep in a be retained within the walls even when the outdoor ambient temperature is much warmer.
There is no insulation in the walls.
There are wide gaps around the doors and the concept of double glazing windows wasn't around when ours were installed (around 1914).
The wood floors have thin carpets and all the chimneys have been removed leaving mere decorative hearths and mantelpieces.
Because my Rothera served as a place of business for 14 years, most rooms have a heat pump in them although running them all day is hideously expensive and three of them don't work properly and only expel cold air.
In New Zealand the concept of central heating never caught on.
Instead, many kiwis just heat whatever room they are in with a fire or heat pump while the rest of the home is left to freeze.
It is one of the most frustrating parts of living in this progressive first world nation.
Many state houses that are rented to low income families have poor insulation, single room heating, and single glazed windows. This causes condensation buildup in the homes and difficulty in keeping things dry and mold free.
The higher cost of heating this sort of home means that families struggle to pay their power bills in the winter.
It is a shameful reality that needs the government's immediate attention.
"Habitat for Humanity" operates out of Christchurch and has a program where they help families do house repairs. I think they need to go one step further and do "Insulation for Humanity."
Insulated walls and floors along with double glazed windows and thermal curtains can make a huge difference in keeping families warm and keeping their heating bills affordable.
I'm going to look into this and see if I can do some volunteering.
In the meantime, if any scientists want to come and stay with us before going to Antarctica they are welcome.
If staying in my Rothera doesn't help you acclimate to inhospitable cold, I don't know what will.
It could also be used for storing giant vats of ice cream or a menopausal women's convention.
I visited the International Antarctic Centre once and had the opportunity to slip on a heavy duty coat and step into a snow and ice filled room where they re-create Antarctic storm conditions by turning up an industrial fan and dimming the lights.
There's a little ice igloo and some protected corners where you can hide if you don't want the full experience.
After living through a winter in Rothera this room will never again effect me. Next time you'll find me perched on its snowmobile wearing a tank top and a scowl. I'll be muttering, "Psh. This ain't nothin'," while the fan-induced winds try to do their worst.
Some estates in New Zealand also have names and I thought our homestead might benefit from one as well.
I have decided to name it Rothera after the British base in Antarctica.
The British Rothera has been in the news lately because two twin otter aircraft flew there from Canada and then one flew on to the South Pole to medevac two ill scientists.
Conisdering that it is deep winter down there right now this was a pretty impressive feat.
My house is named Rothera because it allows the winter cold to seep in a be retained within the walls even when the outdoor ambient temperature is much warmer.
There is no insulation in the walls.
There are wide gaps around the doors and the concept of double glazing windows wasn't around when ours were installed (around 1914).
The wood floors have thin carpets and all the chimneys have been removed leaving mere decorative hearths and mantelpieces.
Because my Rothera served as a place of business for 14 years, most rooms have a heat pump in them although running them all day is hideously expensive and three of them don't work properly and only expel cold air.
In New Zealand the concept of central heating never caught on.
Instead, many kiwis just heat whatever room they are in with a fire or heat pump while the rest of the home is left to freeze.
It is one of the most frustrating parts of living in this progressive first world nation.
Many state houses that are rented to low income families have poor insulation, single room heating, and single glazed windows. This causes condensation buildup in the homes and difficulty in keeping things dry and mold free.
The higher cost of heating this sort of home means that families struggle to pay their power bills in the winter.
It is a shameful reality that needs the government's immediate attention.
"Habitat for Humanity" operates out of Christchurch and has a program where they help families do house repairs. I think they need to go one step further and do "Insulation for Humanity."
Insulated walls and floors along with double glazed windows and thermal curtains can make a huge difference in keeping families warm and keeping their heating bills affordable.
I'm going to look into this and see if I can do some volunteering.
In the meantime, if any scientists want to come and stay with us before going to Antarctica they are welcome.
If staying in my Rothera doesn't help you acclimate to inhospitable cold, I don't know what will.
It could also be used for storing giant vats of ice cream or a menopausal women's convention.
I visited the International Antarctic Centre once and had the opportunity to slip on a heavy duty coat and step into a snow and ice filled room where they re-create Antarctic storm conditions by turning up an industrial fan and dimming the lights.
There's a little ice igloo and some protected corners where you can hide if you don't want the full experience.
After living through a winter in Rothera this room will never again effect me. Next time you'll find me perched on its snowmobile wearing a tank top and a scowl. I'll be muttering, "Psh. This ain't nothin'," while the fan-induced winds try to do their worst.
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