Tech Focus: Solar Screens vs. your old windows

It's hard to avoid all the commercials touting the benefits of new high efficiency windows for your home - especially now that you could be eligible for a tax credit when you replace old windows. But before you lay out big cash for new windows, you may want to consider an option you may not be familiar with: solar screens.

Solar screens fit over your existing windows to help block UV rays and reduce the amount of heat coming into your home. They are typically made of a mesh material in varying levels of "blockage" ranging from 70 - 90% and come in both fixed and roll-up versions. In some ways, these screens act similar to the "glare film" you may have seen at hardware stores, but with significant advantages - and a far better look.

As you might imagine, solar screens appear to be far more common in hot, sunny areas like Texas and Arizona as compared to Cincinnati. Yet that doesn't mean we can't benefit from their use. While the main goal for homeowners in those more sunny areas is to reflect heat and reduce AC usage, some of these screens are meant to be "flipped" in the wintertime so that they act as solar heat collectors. Some of the advantages that are routinely touted by vendors include:

• Achieves energy savings between 30 and 40% in both summer and winter
  
• Reduces sunlight damage/fading of indoor furnishings and artwork
• Provides privacy without losing outdoor views
• Reduces or eliminates air leakage through windows

Yes, surely, they are the best thing since sliced bread! Flip comments aside, when you compare the cost of a new window ($200 and up) vs. the cost of a screen (in the $50 and up range) it's just basic economics to evaluate which one is going let you actually save money.

There are many valid reasons for replacing old windows, but buying them simply for energy-efficiency should probably not be your primary driver. That, however, I leave as a discussion for another day....

Check these vendors to see some of the many options available for solar screens:

• In'Flector Window Insulators
• blindsgalore (retailer)
• North Solar Screen
  

Insurers advance benefits for green building

A recent Wall Street Journal article identified that insurers are beginning to discount premiums for homes built to green standards such as LEED in addition to discounts for drivers of hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles.

After a bit of digging around, I did find that Fireman's Fund insurance - one of the companies highlighted in the story - does offer discounts in Ohio of 5% on premiums for homes that are LEED or NAHB Green certified. Additionally, they have made provisions for implementing green features in homes that are rebuilt after a fire or other catastrophic event.

Notably, Fireman's Fund focuses on an affluent market, generally of homes in the price range of $600,000 or more. So far, I have been unable to find a "mainstream" insurer (e.g., Allstate, State Farm, etc.) that offers similar discounts. Nevertheless, it's not uncommon for new products to be adopted at the high end then make their way to the mass market. Other insurers are likely to offer incentives in the same way to help distinguish themselves or stay competitive as the products mature.

If you are looking at new construction, or even updating your home to incorporate more energy-efficient features, I recommend checking with your insurance company to see if a discount may be available. I'll also include a list of any insurers I find offering these discounts on the references page of my website at www.EcofficientLiving.com.

Are we there yet? Signs in March indicate bottom may be near

Trends in the housing market through the end of March suggest we might be seeing a bit of stabilization in the market, if not necessarily improving conditions for sellers.

On the plus side this month, total inventory continued to decrease dropping below the peak levels in 2006 - 2008. Likewise, the increasing gaps in inventory to sales (or absorption rate) seen over the past couple of years appeared to be leveling off. The rate was 10.1 months of inventory compared to 9.8 months of inventory at this time last year - even with a lower number of sales for the period.

At the national level, the Case Shiller Price Index showed decelerating price declines and first-time buyers were an increasing volume of sales accounting for 53% of transactions.

Areas to watch continue to be the level of foreclosure and short sales. This month the volume in the Cincinnati MLS was approximately 40% of sales compared to near 50% in January and February. While this might be a good sign, many banks delayed foreclosures while new government programs were put into effect. Banks have now started up foreclosure proceedings again which could put more inventory on the market in the coming months.

Cincinnati market data snapshots:

• March '09 sales vs. inventory
• March '09 absorption rate
  

Demand-response switches could save you money

The temperature today in Cincinnati rose above 80 degrees for the first time in a good while. While our springtime has been on the cooler side so far, folks will be trying out their air conditioners very soon.

A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted how some companies are poised to benefit from devices that manage peak energy demand such as those made by "Comverge". The devices reduce or shut off power during periods of high usage, mostly during hot summer days. Locally, Duke Energy has been making a power-saving device available for some time. The "Power Manager" program adds a switch to a home's air conditioning unit so that it may cycle off at certain intervals. Just signing up for the program will fetch you between $25-35.

While cycling off your AC during the hottest of days may seem like an unpleasant thought, Duke offers a couple of different installation methods which might ease the process. The program that offers that highest savings on your bill cycles your AC off for longer periods. Duke's information suggests this may cause the temperature to rise 3 to 4 degrees during this period. However, if your home is relatively well insulated and sealed, then it would be reasonable to expect that the change in temperature you'd experience would be reduced. For those concerned with these longer outages, the optional installation minimizes the outage duration. That option, of course, does reduce the savings you will receive as a program participant.

If you are looking to save a few bucks these days - and who isn't? - I certainly recommend checking out this program to see what it might do for you. At the same time, review my previous article on maintaining your AC along with these summer preparation tips from "frugaldad" that could also help keep more money in your pocket.