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Karen Feeney

Jul 6, 2017
Jul 31, 2017

You have been getting some great input on your question.  I have a couple of things to add, both new information as well as some variations on themes.

1) Someone mentioned closing the blinds in the room to reduce heat gain. Another option would be to install an exterior shade, awning or trellis to keep heat from getting into the room in the first place.

2) Instead of the black out shades, another option is window film.  Window film is probably less expensive and still allows you the views that you probably have from that room. 3M makes some fabulous products that relect heat and prevents it from entering the room.  They come in various thicknesses and tints that do not detract from the views. 

3)  Another person suggested looking at the age and performance of your windows. While this is an expensive option, it may be the most effective.  There have been so many advancements in window technology. Installing windows with both a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-factor, can really make a difference in keeping heat out.  If you replace windows, you could also install some operable windows or a vent to reduce the build up of hot air in the room and actually get it out.  This option would create a "chimney effect," based on the principle that hot air rises, and actually draws hot air out of the room.  Sounds like you have installed some AC in the room which will provide cool air to replace that hot air drawn up and out of the room. 

Best of luck to you, The Allen Construction Team

Nov 15, 2016
Nov 21, 2016

Let's hear it for Elon Musk and his efforts to move the solar industry forward!  Solar shingles have lots of potential. Hopefully, Tesla and Solar City will get it right.  We used solar shingles about 15 years ago when installing a new roof and encountered some issues: 1) They were expensive! I would recommend getting a quote for both traditional PV panels versus the shingles and see what pencils out. The cost of PV has come down significantly in the last couple of years. Once you get the quote, be sure and compare the cost/efficiency/performance ratios of the two systems. 2) Maintenance can be an issue. There are more electrical connections with a roof shingle system vs a traditional PV system. More things to create potential problems. The shingles are typically installed in "strings" - where mulitple shingles work together in units.  If one shingle has a problem, the entire string "goes down". Check to see how Solar City addressses this issue: can you easily identify where the bad shingle is and be able to replace it easily?  Otherwise the efficiency of your system is compromised significantly.  Another maintenance issue is keeping all the shingles clean.  There is more work to wash down an entire roof periodically to remove dirt buildup than there is for a traditional PV system. 3) Availability: Is Tesla/Solar City providing the units in Atlanta?  It may take them some time to gear up their distribution and train people to install them properly.  Both important things to consider.

All that being said, it certainly makes sense to have your roof generate power for you!  Regardless of whether you go the traditional PV system or shingles route.  Best of luck!

Feb 18, 2014
Nov 11, 2016
Hi Charles. Allen Construction has a two part answer to your question: 1) In terms of energy efficiency, you will get the best protection from solar heat gain by putting a shade on the outside of the glass. If it has to be on the inside, there are specific treatments called solar shades or sun shades that are specifically designed to block heat and glare. They also can have varying degrees of visibility as well. 2) As far as shades the will offer you both privacy and visibility, top down / bottom up shades provide a good level of control so you can constantly adjust between proper shading and still letting ambient light through. There are pleated (e.g., honeycomb shades by Hunter Douglas) that are also energy efficient. Roman shades with lining can also be drawn up to expose the view. HOpe that helps!
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Aug 7, 2015
Nov 9, 2015

The requirements to be a Guild Quality member are:

1) Be willing to have all of your clients surveyed by Guild Quality

2) Send your client contact information to Guild Quality

3) Stay on top of the status of your projects so that surveys are sent to clients at the correct phase of the project

4) Maintain your profile so that it shares your information with the public

5) Pay your account invoice!

Apr 14, 2015
Sep 1, 2015

A tankless water heater can certainly be installed in a condominium - similar to any other structure. The easiest model is one that mounts externally - typically near the highest use of hot water or midway between multiple usage points. If there is some distance between the use locations, you can also install a D'mand pump to "call" the hot water so you are not wasting water waiting for the hot water to arrive. If you install a unit on the interior of your unit, e.g., in the previous water heater closet, the unit will require venting.  And - FYI - one reason people love to install an on-demand is that you can actually repurpose a former water heater closet creating more useable space in your condo.   One last piece of important information, you will need to check the size of your incoming water line.  Typically water lines are 3/4 inches in diameter.  On-demand units require incoming water lines of one inch.  So you may need to upgrade your plumbing to accomodate the increased size of your incoming water lines.  I hope that helps.

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