Too Much Heat Coming Through Windows

LESLIE: Raymond in Hawaii is dealing with the issue of too much heat coming through the windows, because he lives in Hawaii and it’s awesome there. How can we help you, Raymond?

RAYMOND: I have two rooms on the west side of my house that, in the afternoon, catch all the heat and it makes two rooms unbearable to stay in. So I’m trying to find a way of looking to reduce the heat. I’ve already put in a solar attic fan but the rooms are still roasting hot and I can’t use them. So I wonder if there’s some suggestions you might have that might help me. I was thinking of an awning but I’m open to anything you have.

TOM: Well, would you consider replacing your windows?

RAYMOND: OK.

TOM: Because the new glass that is available today is much, much more sophisticated than anything that was in windows in the past. And if you buy the high-performance windows – and by the way, if you do this before the end of the year, you can get a tax credit towards next year’s tax expenses. And if you buy glass that’s rated 30/30 – and that’s the solar heat gain coefficient and the UV rating; all you have to remember is it’ll say .30/.30 on the glass; there’ll be a label on it – and make sure it meets the qualifications for the tax credit. If it meets the qualifications for the tax credit, it’ll be fine. And that’s going to reflect so much of that heat outside that that room will never overheat again.

RAYMOND: The windows are louvers so do you think it …?

TOM: Oh, well, wow. If you change from louvers to another design that’s not a louver and use a high-performance glass like that, it’s going to make a huge difference.

RAYMOND: OK. Because we don’t use air conditioning in Hawaii.

TOM: Yeah, well, I mean you can …

LESLIE: (overlapping voices) Right, because you’ve got such a great breeze.

TOM: Yeah, of course. And you could choose, you know, casement windows or some other design that can be fully opened and let plenty of air in. But you – there’s just no way to make a louvered window energy-efficient; it’s just not possible.

RAYMOND: OK. (chuckles)

TOM: And you need glass that’s insulated, that can reflect the heat back outside. You’ll be much more comfortable, OK?

RAYMOND: OK. Thank you.

TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.