Archive for February, 2010

February 24, 2010

What’s so great about a Solatube?

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet For a long time I didn’t know what a daylighting system really was. I thought ok, you have your windows and your skylights. But there is a third thing called a daylighting system and it is neither a window nor a skylight. A daylighting system is a device with highly-sophisticated technology that brings measured, glare-free, heat-reduced sunlight into your interior space. It’s actually a technology that’s been around since the 1960’s but is gaining traction again due to our renewed awareness of sustainability. Today I’d like to talk to you about one of my favorite daylighting devices for your…

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Tweet Wood warps, bulges, fades, peels, molds and eventually looks like hell here in Phoenix with our brutal summers. Plus it’s constantly expanding and contracting with the weather changes, causing all sorts of structural trouble. Here’s why Trex is way better than wood if you’re thinking of building an outdoor deck or a patio trellis: 1. Trex is made out of 95% recycled materials. It’s a composite material made from plastic shopping bags, reclaimed wood and sawdust. Trex hasn’t cut down a single tree during the entire lifetime of their business. Trex is an excellent example of “upcycling”, a word…

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February 22, 2010

Why you need a Metal Roof if you live in Phoenix

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Metal roofs are one of my favorite roofs because aesthetically-speaking they are so beautiful.  But whether you agree with me or not about the beauty of a metal roof, there are a few other great qualities of a metal roof I’d like you to consider if you’re thinking of replacing your roof. The Heat-Island Effect We all know that we have a terrible problem with the Heat-Island effect here in Phoenix.  It occurs in cities with large areas of paved surfaces, including dark absorbent roofs that absorb heat during the day and emit it back into the atmosphere, making…

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Tweet Heating water accounts for up to 30 percent of the average home’s energy budget. So if you have an energy-hog of a water heater that you inherited with your 30-year-old home, you might want to consider replacing it.  Like most people, you’ll want to  wait until you have a problem with your water heater before thinking of replacing it but making a rushed decision on what system to buy is going to leave you short-changed. Since there are so many efficient options on the market now, it’s worth your time to consider each one carefully and see which would…

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