How to Save Money and Energy Using a Cupola
 We all like to save money. We all like to be healthy. But who would have thought that the cupola, a rooftop structural ornament dating back to as early as the 8 th century, would assist in both? Cupolas are a great way of naturally ventilating closed, damp places, such as roofs or lofts in homes, barns, stables or commercial buildings. What happens if moisture-laden, heat-filled areas don’t receive adequate ventilation? The result is mold: a naturally occurring organism that in the wild is indispensable, but indoors, can cause extreme sickness and actually make your home inhabitable.
Mold: Mother Nature’s Decomposer
Mold – the most common fungus known on the planet – is part of the natural world. When mold stays outdoors, its role in nature is to decompose organic matter (leaves, bark, grass) and slowly return particles of a once living organism back into the earth. This is a vitally important role. Without this decomposition, the whole earth would be overrun with decaying matter.
The downside to mold is when it decides to move indoors and share our living areas. Mold is incredibly adaptable and gets all its nutrition through decomposing organic matter. The organic matter in your home could be wood, dust, paint, fabric or paper. Mold can even grow on mirrors or concrete if these surfaces are coated with a thin veil of organic matter, such as a dusty window! Mold then becomes an unwanted house guest, leaving not only damaged walls, woodwork and furniture, but potentially life-threatening illnesses. There have been cases of such extreme mold infestation that people have had to vacate their homes entirely. The homes had to be condemned, torn down and completely rebuilt.
Mold reproduces by means of tiny spores. While these spores are invisible to the human eye, they easily float along on indoor and outdoor air. If an area is damp and warm and the air stagnant (unmoving), the mold has found its perfect environment and will settle there, indefinitely.
Molds can produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), which can cause cold-like symptoms (runny nose, fever, red, irritated eyes and sneezing). They can also incite an asthma attack in people with asthma. In a few, rare cases, some molds can produce a potentially toxic and lethal substance known as mycotoxins. In all cases, indoor mold is to be avoided and when possible, prevented.
Preventing Mold
This is where the cupola comes into play. Cupolas are a perfect way to add natural, extra ventilation to home or office roof space. This ventilation allows moisture and heat (both necessary for the life of mold) to escape. No moisture, no warmth, no mold.
In the 18th century before the age of air-conditioning, porches, awnings and cupolas helped to dissipate heat and dampness and provide healthy air movement, light and ventilation. Mold illnesses were rarely reported. Not only were these external structural fixtures beneficial for the health of those residing in the homes, but the structures also helped extend the life of indoor building materials (plaster, wood, etc.) as well as outdoor roofing material and trusses.
Monetary Benefits
It is clear that the first major benefit of a cupola is the opportunity for a drier, cleaner living environment. While protecting your health (and hopefully saving money in potential doctor’s bills), you will find that your cooling costs will be lower (due to the extraction of the super-hot roof space air). You won’t have to run your air-conditioning unit as frequently as your home will cool off quicker and with less energy. Most people find a reduction in heating/cooling costs of approximately $50 to $200 per year, depending on type of cupola used, area of placement and maintenance. This is basically a type of “passive” cooling: less energy usage equals less energy costs!
In any case, installing a cupola is a win-win situation. You get a distinguishing, decorative accent for your rooftop, a healthier home, and hopefully, more money in your wallet!
Research taken from the following sources:
Park, Sharon C. “Heating, Ventilating and Cooling Historic Buildings-Problems and Recommended Approaches.” Department of the Interior. October, 1991.
Eubank, Wanda and Betty Feather. “How to Prevent and Remove Mildew.” http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/housing/gh5928.htm June 13, 2006.
www.housekeepingchannel.com/showarticle.php?id=340. June 13, 2006.
www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/hip-moisture.html. June 13, 2006.
www.epa.gov/mold/moldbasics.html. June 13, 2006.
Copyright 2006. www.OutdoorDecor.com
Kay Stone, OutdoorDecor.com Staff Writer
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