In alt.home.repair on Sun, 10 Jul 2005 19:15:27 -0700 "Pagan"
posted:

"meirman" wrote in message
news
A friend's house faces west and it gets so hot in the afternoon that
his rather new and just recharged central AC can't keep up with it.
Much hotter than other places. Cathedral ceiling.

All I can think of is anti-heat window film. Does this work? Can he
do it himself? He's afraid it will look tacky after he does it.

Depends on what he has for windows. If he has newer low E double windows,

Probably not. The house was built in the 70's or 60's. He has an
almost bay window with lots of 12" panes.

film isn't likely to do anything. It may be poor or lack of insulation in
the walls facing West. I'm told insulation can easily be added to walls.
Check Google.

He has a little window to the side of his front door and says he can
really feel the heat in front of it when the summer sun is shining.
Made a curtain for that one, but wants to look out the bay windwo.

With a window film kit, all you need is a hair dryer and a steady hand.

Or he won't be able to see out the window. Does it look as dark as
tinted windows on cars do, or are they dark on purpose and the
anti-heat part isn't so dark?

Any recommendations for a good brand or where to get it?

www.doitbest.com

Good idea. I relayed all this to him.

Hadn't found it yet when I posteed but also found these. Both sell
retail.

http://www.gordonglassusa.com/listing.htm?cd=341 This looks good and
certainly affordable, and they ship. (I use "shipping" as a search
word.) No samples, at least of what he wants.

http://www.concordwindowfilms.com/ also this. You can also buy a
sample pack for 10 dollars that includes a ten dollar coupon for any
other package of film.

The price seems to be between 33 and 80 dollars for the film, plus
shipping. Not a lot if it is pleasing.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks again.

I'm happy to have heard your ideas, and I'm still very interested if
someone knows anything bad about this idea.

Oh, should he stop using his ceiling fan in the summer?

Depends. He could try it and see if the light breeze cools him off as well
as AC.

He should also check his registers. They might be closed, or the air
otherwise blocked by a kinked duct.

He'll see this.

He should consider planting a couple trees in front of his house. That will
save him money on AC bills, make his home look nicer, and give him a good
place to hang a hammock.

They planted a magnolia tree this year, but in front of the bedroom
for some reason. There's more room on that side and I guess he
thought charging the AC would solve the problem.

Pagan



Meirman
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