Is your home's interior suffocating from a lack of clean, fresh air?

This winter, we had some truly biblical weather—more than 40 days and nights of incessant downpours. Our Islands were awash, streets were flooded, the ground was saturated. When the sun finally reappeared, temperatures rose and the humidity increased. Now, in our damp home interiors, the potential for mold emerges. Suddenly, strange smells and sights appear. What's that odd smell emerging from the carpet? What are those gray spots on the futon cushions and climbing up the walls? Creepy!

After months of being shut up against winter tempests, it's time for our homes to take a breather. Today's cooling and ventilation market offers everything from simple solutions for established homes to sensible building methods for new homes.

This Long & Associates, AIA, Inc. house design utilizes fans to maximize airflow. Featured is MinkaAire's Cobra fan finished in brushed nickel, with integrated light, available at Pacific Ceiling Fan & Lighting. The Kichler pendant light is available at Lighting Elegance. Photo by Phil Uhl. Courtesy of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii.

A FAN OF ROMANCE: CEILING FANS

Our tropical milieu lends itself to the romance of fans. As you thumb through the pages of Maugham or Michener on a balmy summer afternoon, the traditional ceiling fan is a soothing companion—its lazy, hypnotic revolutions induce a relaxing, somnolent mood while gently circulating the air around you.

Fans are one of the most effective ways to move fresh air throughout the house. According to Rhett Garon, of Pacific Ceiling Fans, there are four primary advantages to using ceiling fans: aesthetics, light integration, immediate cooling and energy savings.

Aesthetics: Ceiling fans truly capture the combination of both form and function. With the wide array of styles and designs available, ceiling fans are no longer viewed as primarily utilitarian. Instead, they have become pieces of furniture that complement a home's décor. It's not uncommon for a ceiling fan to provide the final piece of the design puzzle, helping to tie together a room's textures and colors.

Light Integration: "I will boldly say that a ceiling fan is the only cooling and ventilation method that can double as the light source in a room," Garon says. Taking function to a whole other level, ceiling fans can replace light fixtures and allow for cooling as well, with no additional electrical work.

Immediate Cooling: Because ceiling fans work on the wind-chill theory, according to which the constant movement of air across the body lowers the individual's temperature between six and eight degrees, they start to cool as soon as they are turned on.

Energy Savings: Almost all fan manufacturers have ceiling fans that are Energy Star® compliant, Garon says. "That means that they run on average 20 percent more efficiently than their predecessors," he says. "Pacific Ceiling Fans has fans that can cool up to 20-by-20-foot areas that cost less to run than a 75-watt light bulb."

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) offers homeowners ways to build energy-smart homes. Energy-efficient building methods and products save energy, money and our fragile environment. One of DBEDT's priorities is to make dependable, efficient and economical energy part of every household. The DBEDT developed information and guidelines—specifically tailored to Hawaii's climate—for local building owners, architects, engineers and homeowners. Below is some helpful advice from the DBEDT on keeping a cool, well-ventilated house. A wealth of additional information is available in the DBEDT's Homeowner's Energy Guide or online at www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/

Cool Roofs

• To cool your home, start at the top! Use light-colored roofing material to reflect most of the heat.
• Ventilate the attic. Consider soffit, eave or ridge vents or a solar-powered vent fan.

Insulation? In Hawaii?

• If you thought that insulation was only for cold, Mainland climates, think again. Insulation is very effective at blocking heat. A home with fiberglass or foam-board insulation will feel five to 10 degrees cooler than an un-insulated home. For Hawaii, about six inches of fiberglass insulation is recommended. With open-beam ceilings, two inches of foam-board insulation between the ceiling and the roofing material will do the trick.

"Chimney" Ventilation

• The "chimney" effect is based on the principle of hot air rising. Provide an outlet vent as high as possible to allow unwanted heat to escape. Options include vented skylights, ridge vents, vented cupolas, gable vents and solar-powered exhaust fans.

Natural Ventilation
Gentle trade winds can make air conditioning unnecessary in many areas and also reduce health hazards, such as mold and mildew.

• To get the most effective natural ventilation when building a new home, orient it about 45 degrees to the direction of the wind. Windows on opposite walls should be offset from each other, coaxing the breeze to travel through the entire room before exiting. Casement, jalousie and awning-type windows offer the most exposure.
• If you need a little more airflow for comfort, consider a ceiling fan.

KEEP BUGS AT BAY: DOOR & WINDOW SCREENS

Now that the rain has subsided, we are bugged by a subsequent problem: mosquitoes! This spring, expect a dramatic increase in the mosquito population as a result of all the standing water. Keep the bloodsuckers out while letting the cool air in with high-quality screen doors and windows.

Retractable Screen Solutions is one of the largest suppliers and installers of retractable screen doors in Hawaii. The company's Phantom Screens are manufactured from extruded aluminum, with very durable, high-quality, baked-enamel finishes, that come in eight different colors. Mike Judd, of Retractable Screen Solutions, says, "We custom fabricate our Phantom Screens for installation—retrofitting them to existing doors.

Left: Available motorized or manual-powered, the sophisticated Executive Power Screens from Retractable Screens Solutions come in sizes as large as 16- by 25-feet. The screens are ideal for windows with beautiful, unobstructed views. Photo: Scott T. Kubo Right: Screens & Things Inc. manufactures windows, such as these grill windows with built-in grids that give them an old-fashion look with divided-glass window panes.

The Phantom Screens are also ideal for unusual or tight spots. "We can fit a Phantom screen door in an existing doorway where a traditional screen door simply wouldn't work."

"We've had people living in the same house for 30 to 40 years and they've never been able to install a screen door until we offered them this solution," Judd says.

Phantom Manufacturing makes two window products based on the same concept as the Phantom screen door—Serene Window Screens and Executive Power Screens.

"Our Serene Screen simply rolls up with a tension spring—like a Venetian blind, so it doesn't hog space when it's open," Judd says.

The Executive is an innovative, powered screen that mounts to a patio beam or above a sliding, pocket door, with a typical width of 10 to 15 feet. It's electrically operated, with a track that runs down the side of the door frame.

AIR CONDITION: A COOL NECESSITY

There is far more to modern air conditioning than just temperature reduction. 60 million people in the U.S. are affected by allergies, and mold is one of the five most common allergens. AMV Air Conditioning offers a variety of air conditioners and systems that can help lower humidity—thereby helping prevent mold growth. These include Rheem, York, Carrier, Lennox, Fujitsu and Mitsubishi. These models filter and clean the interior air we breathe, removing pollen, dust and pollutants—even bacteria.

According to Aldrin Villahermosa, president of AMV Air Conditioning Inc., many people simply view air conditioners as appliances that occupy a hole in the wall or window. "You just buy it, install it and turn it on," he says. However, he counsels people to carefully research air conditioners before buying a unit.

"You really have to determine that the system you buy is the most efficient for the price. The whole idea is for it not to hurt your pocketbook once you turn it on," Villahermosa says.

Overall, today's air-conditioning systems are more energy efficient than ever before. Homeowners can now get much more effective, cost-efficient systems for no extra outlay, which will save them money and frustration over the long term.

"Understanding what is available is critical. For example, you may end up spending $5,000. But when you look at the life expectancy of these avant-garde systems, you can usually amortize the cost in the first few years," he says.

Villahermosa stresses the importance of implementing an air-conditioning design that optimizes cooling at the greatest efficiency.

To be most effective, AMV often uses multizone systems, which offer flexibility and savings. Homeowners may install four zones, but, in the interest of saving money and energy, they can choose to run only one or two zones at a time. Plus, while a system may have the potential to cool 1,500 square feet, when only 200 square feet may be occupied, the multizone's compressor senses that it requires less energy and adjusts accordingly.

Professional Advice

AMV's Villahermosa has been installing advanced air-conditioning systems for more than a decade and has acquired considerable technical knowledge in the process. Before committing to an installation, he advises homeowners to get a written contract that specifies precisely what the project entails. "You can't be too specific," he says. "In my case, the contract could be up to 10 pages. Some customers find this intimidating, but it's for their own protection."

Permit paperwork is essential in determining who did the electrical and air-conditioning installation. It also identifies the contractor and covers compliance. Should anything be unsatisfactory, you can trace who was at fault. "Homeowners who select a contractor on the basis of a low-price installation, without a paper trail, are asking for trouble," Villahermosa warns. "A paper trail will also allow [the homeowner] to furnish details to their home-insurance company."

Then, there are property issues, such as encroachment rules. A licensed, responsible contractor will know the regulations. Otherwise, homeowners could face legal proceedings from a neighbor or prosecution from an inspector down the line. "It's critical to find a contractor who has your interests at heart—not just your money," Villahermosa says.

THE ART OF COOL

Indoor air conditioners may feel cool, but they rarely look it. The obtrusive, unattractive units have been prime examples of function winning over form. Recognizing the need for more attractive air-conditioners, LG Electronics produced Art Cool. The innovative air-conditioning system is the world's first picture-frame air conditioner. Indoor models can be customized to blend the air-conditioner into a room's décor, with personalized pictures and artwork. Additional sizes offer a variety of finishes, from brushed metal to an assortment of wood grains.

Art Cool air-conditioning systems can be customized with personal pictures and artwork, such as this unit with local art by Kim Taylor Reese.

Introduced into the Hawaii market by Nexair, the local distributor for LG Electronics, Art Cool 9,000 and 12,000 BTUH indoor units are concealed by a black, matte picture frame that can house photos or artwork.

Ultra-slim, uncluttered and minimalist Art Cool transforms an indoor air-conditioning unit from simply a means to an end into a conversation piece—even when it's not operating, people will notice it.

"Not only stylish, Art Cool provides a superior level of performance. Quiet and efficient, the Art Cool leads the way in acoustical performance, as well as adhering to new high-efficiency and ozone-friendly refrigerant requirements," says Albert Hahn, of Nexair.

"One other feature unique to Art Cool is the on-board, electronic filtration system that utilizes an ionic air purifier. With Art Cool, consumers gain not only the added element of style, but a superior level of performance," Hahn adds.

SUN OR SHADE SHUTTERS

Sunburst Shutters Hawaii Inc., one of the largest custom-shutter manufacturers in the U.S., is the only company in Hawaii that offers PolyWood Shutters. "Our products have been highlighted on ABC's hit TV show Extreme Makeover, Home Edition," says Brent Wilson, general manager. "Exclusive to Sunburst, it is the perfect fit for Hawaii's tropical environment."

Shutters have many benefits. Most obvious is the way they enhance any room with their classic look and feel. The shutters' patented tension system holds the louvers in position, creating different atmospheres, from a bright, open room to a quiet, soft one. Plus, they offer a high level of privacy.

Traditionally, plantation shutters have been made of wood. Starting as a wood-shutter company more than 30 years ago, Sunburst Shutters says it's familiar with the problems of a wood shutter. Alternatively, PolyWood is an engineered, recyclable wood substitute made from extruded poly-vinyl foam that is virtually indistinguishable from a fine, hardwood shutter.

"The shutters have a baked-in acrylic enamel finish. This means that you will not rub through any surface layers of paint," Wilson says. "The finish also has a protective UV inhibitor. We guarantee that it will not crack, chip, fade, peel, warp or discolor. Complete customer satisfaction is our bottom line."

Polywood Shutters can also save energy by utilizing trade winds, reducing the need for air conditioners and fans. However, when an A/C is necessary, Sunburst Shutters says that according to UL testing, PolyWood insulates up to three times better than wood, by keeping the sun's heat out," Wilson says. "Some clients have told us that their summer cooling bill was reduced up to 20 percent."

COOLING & VENTILATION SUPPLIERS
AMV Air Conditioning Inc. 2290 Alahao Place, Unit 402 845-3149 www.amvair.com Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) PO Box 2359 587-3808 www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy Island Shutters 676-8008 Lighting Concepts 1931 S. Beretania St. 955-9955 Nexair 10 Marin Lane www.nexaircorp.com	Pacific Ceiling Fans & Lighting 250 Ward Ave., Suite 170 597-8169 98-023 Hekaha St. 487-2322 www.pacificceilingfans.com Pella Architectural Products 214-B Sand Island Access Road 841-3200 www.pella.com Retractable Screen Solutions 735-4321, 1-888-PHANTOM www.phantomscreens.com Screens & Things Inc. 2960 Mokumoa St. 836-1333 Sunburst Shutters 1806 Homerule St. 851-7200 www.sunburstshutters.com