Comments for Zero Energy Intelligence.com Blog http://www.zeroenergyintelligence.com/blogspagehtm Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:47:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on New Window Treatments: Energy And Tax Savers by Kevin Dickson http://www.zeroenergyintelligence.com/blogspagehtm/?p=3795&cpage=1#comment-4242 Kevin Dickson Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:47:28 +0000 http://www.zeroenergyintelligence.com/blogspagehtm/?p=3795#comment-4242 Insulating cellular window shades would seem to be a good idea, but they have a very serious problem. If they insulate, it means they will reduce the heat transfer to the window they cover. Reduced heat loss means a lower temperature at the window glass. During most of the winter, that lower temperature is below the dewpoint of the air inside the house. That means those windows will be dripping with moisture whenever the blinds are completely closed. Even if the blinds are raised for the entire day, this moisture is enough to promote mold growth. If they are left closed for a few weeks, the window trim, drywall, and the blinds could easily be completely ruined by mold. Not only does this sound correct in theory, I've witnessed it in my own house. Some of the manufacturers try to improve the air sealing of the blinds to reduce convection by including a track. Unfortunately, this extra air blockage doesn't impede the migration of water vapor, which can quickly pass through typical blind fabrics. If anything, the window surface stays colder, which condenses more water. If the cellular blind is in between the two panes of glass, the problem is solved. Pella, I believe, does offer this option. The Window Quilt type products, which have magnetic seals on all four sides, seal well enough to help prevent the problem. My older research, however, indicated that these must have mylar as one of the layers inside the quilt. I'm not sure if this is still available. Insulating cellular window shades would seem to be a good idea, but they have a very serious problem. If they insulate, it means they will reduce the heat transfer to the window they cover. Reduced heat loss means a lower temperature at the window glass. During most of the winter, that lower temperature is below the dewpoint of the air inside the house. That means those windows will be dripping with moisture whenever the blinds are completely closed. Even if the blinds are raised for the entire day, this moisture is enough to promote mold growth. If they are left closed for a few weeks, the window trim, drywall, and the blinds could easily be completely ruined by mold. Not only does this sound correct in theory, I’ve witnessed it in my own house.

Some of the manufacturers try to improve the air sealing of the blinds to reduce convection by including a track. Unfortunately, this extra air blockage doesn’t impede the migration of water vapor, which can quickly pass through typical blind fabrics. If anything, the window surface stays colder, which condenses more water.

If the cellular blind is in between the two panes of glass, the problem is solved. Pella, I believe, does offer this option.

The Window Quilt type products, which have magnetic seals on all four sides, seal well enough to help prevent the problem. My older research, however, indicated that these must have mylar as one of the layers inside the quilt. I’m not sure if this is still available.

]]> Comment on Sacrificing For Green? by Marion Summerall http://www.zeroenergyintelligence.com/blogspagehtm/?p=1466&cpage=1#comment-4105 Marion Summerall Wed, 05 May 2010 23:42:11 +0000 http://www.zeroenergyintelligence.com/blogspagehtm/?p=1466#comment-4105 Please go to our site and add this wonderful blog to the directory, not only will we be able to share your blog with our readers, you will get more traffic. Please go to our site and add this wonderful blog to the directory, not only will we be able to share your blog with our readers, you will get more traffic.

]]> Comment on Shea’s Bright Ideas by Kian Gray http://www.zeroenergyintelligence.com/blogspagehtm/?p=99&cpage=1#comment-4092 Kian Gray Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:52:03 +0000 http://www.zeroenergyintelligence.com/blogspagehtm/?p=99#comment-4092 Solar Energy is one of the best sources of clean and green electricity. I think that we should build more efficient solar thermal power plants and solar cells. frequently. ` Solar Energy is one of the best sources of clean and green electricity. I think that we should build more efficient solar thermal power plants and solar cells. frequently. `

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