Our elderly loved ones struggle more with more health problems in cold weather as they set their temps on their furnaces lower. In Turkey, tenants in buildings debate or even argue over when to turn the central furnace on. I heard that one man stood up in a meeting and said, “I will not pay any heating costs as I only use the apartment in the summer and I don't care what anyone else does.” Hmmm… Neighbors. Love ‘em or avoid ‘em. Maybe you do not realize that few people in Turkey have the option of having the control dial in their own apartment, known as the “combi system” where you can regulate the temperature in your own home. If you live in an apartment building that has not been built more recently or one built on a tighter budget, it has a centrally controlled system. You will find in some neighborhoods that many still use the “soba” system -- a metal stove that burns oil, wood or coal and just heats a small area.
As you travel around Turkey, you can still spot poorly built brick homes, particularly in rural areas; and you may stumble across some dotted around the towns. In colder climates this type of housing is difficult to keep warm. Even though some have managed to upgrade their walls to cement ones, you can bet the walls are thin and not properly insulated.
Whatever the case, when the cold weather comes, heating is a major problem.
Even nicer housing and modern concrete buildings can become decrepit due to proper material not being used in construction.
Just take my own residence for example: Last year my apartment building situated in a nice middle class neighborhood struggled with a mold problem. The tenants brought this on themselves because they wanted to cut the cost staying warm. They decided to start heating a month later than we have done so in the past. The reason: To save money on heating fuel costs.
Within a surprisingly short amount of time I began to notice that blackish colored spots began to appear on my north wall. Mold had set in! Residents will save on heating but medical expenses may increase!
I have heard many horror stories of how homes in Turkey suffer with varying degrees of dampness in walls and mold problems. I suppose after having lived here for 3 decades that I am fortunate to have not had to fight this battle sooner.
Well, thanks to my neighbors I may have saved a little heating expense this past winter but in the end I spent quite a bit in the summer having a special insulation installed on my north wall on the inside of my apartment to protect my health.
It seems to always be the case when steps are taken to cut costs without thinking through the implications. If those who were constructing the building would have just had the necessary wall treatment on the outside of the building done, heating expenses would have been cut.
Does this problem sound familiar to you?
The other day, a colleague at work told me about the co-op she is belongs to. Only a few residents live there year-round. Some have made it their summer home (yazlık) and others never go there. Proper heating has not been installed yet. Those who live there year-round are concerned that the others will not pay their part and the few there will be stuck with the whole bill for the use of coal or heating oil.
Dwelling in community is not easy anywhere.
I feel sad for tenants who live in basements and have to struggle with the cold and experience rain splatters in their home or even worse, minor drips and leaks in ceilings.
When I see poorly constructed concrete prefabs, it reminds me of the days when I traveled in less developed countries in Soviet Central Asia and sat on the floor. Of course, in the place of honor, I was hosted by bearded robed men who were leaders of the community with whom I was conducting interviews for my dissertation. We ate a meal together with heaps of boiled rice with some small pieces of lamb. It seemed to fit that scenario but it doesn't here and shouldn't.
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
