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."
