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Old 03-08-2008, 07:10 PM
 
Location: San Diego
510 posts, read 1,460,550 times
Reputation: 151

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Great Joy View Post
This is one of the reasons why we bought a two story. Plus we wanted a 2-story great room. I don't feel we have an issue with heat/air even with our great room; however, we did get the upgrade of 2X6 construction. With that we got more insulation, and thus savings for our gas and electric bills.

Haven't heard if there is a utility cost difference based upon type of roof.

Brick is very uncommon here; stucco and stacked stone are very common.

We've had wood floors in some of our previous homes, and this is our first home with the majority being tile. I like tile much more because you don't have to worry about water damage. On the subject of flooring, get a lighter color tile or wood. Otherwise with dark floors you'll see the light colored dust all the time. We have neighbors with dark wood floors, and they really regret it. Even after a few hours after cleaning their floor, they can see the walk pathways and footprints again throughout their home. I feel sorry for them because they spent a lot of money on that wood floor.

Wh...wh...what!? I know it's dusty, but is it really THAT dusty?????

What about air cleaners/purifiers in Phoenix? Do they help with the dust?
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Old 03-08-2008, 07:56 PM
 
Location: FINALLY living in AZ and LOVING it!!!
461 posts, read 1,810,573 times
Reputation: 191
Quote:
Originally Posted by Panks View Post
Outstanding Captain Bill! Thank you I hadn't even heard of mister systems before..will have to look into it.
Oh, misters must be experienced in person! Go to any pool at any casino in Vegas - ahhhhhh, what a treat misters are!
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Old 03-08-2008, 10:30 PM
 
Location: Southern California
421 posts, read 3,225,980 times
Reputation: 286
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stumblina View Post
Oh, misters must be experienced in person! Go to any pool at any casino in Vegas - ahhhhhh, what a treat misters are!
I think the vegetables at the grocery stores would agree with you! I hear them sigh in relief whenever the mister kicks on for a few seconds.

Can you imagine how they feel being groped and manhandled all day by the public!
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Old 03-09-2008, 12:26 AM
 
Location: Living on the Coast in Oxnard CA
16,289 posts, read 32,367,468 times
Reputation: 21892
What we did was checked the US Department of Energy web site to see what is recomended in the area. I think that they give the minumum and the optimum suggestions for any local nationwide. Along with many suggestions in the thread so far I would add a radiant roof panel. What most are designed to do is reflect the heat from the sun away from the home. LP makes one called a Tech Shield. Many of the builders offer that as an upgrade. The panel sits between the roof trusses and the roofing material. If you are buying a home that is allready built chances are it is too late for now, unless you decide to replace the roof of the home. Also we decided to increase the amount of insulation within the ceiling and walls of the home. Many people also have the windows tinted to reduce the sunlight entering the home and buy interior shutters. My parents did that and it looks great. Also my dad's home office faces the street and he like's the ability to see down the street while those walking toward the home can not see in.
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Old 03-09-2008, 08:25 AM
 
Location: Oxygen Ln. AZ
9,319 posts, read 18,758,009 times
Reputation: 5764
I did not read every response, so I hope I am not repeating someone's suggestion. We suggest you upgrade the insulation as well as go with the low E windows. We were surprised that this was an option in this state.We attended the International Builders show in Florida last month and saw many new products (green) for energy savings. One in particular, we plan on doing here and that is the spray on Iceleyne insulation that goes on the underside of the roof in the attic.
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Old 03-09-2008, 11:20 AM
RCR
 
Location: Chandler
264 posts, read 910,121 times
Reputation: 322
I haven't seen this one yet; sunscreens at the very least on your west facing windows. We did our whole house and it does help.
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Old 03-12-2008, 07:15 AM
 
1 posts, read 3,564 times
Reputation: 11
Default Panks

Whatever you do don't jump into the skillet right off the batt. This is a buyers market so take your time and get what you want.
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Old 03-12-2008, 06:54 PM
 
Location: Southern California
421 posts, read 3,225,980 times
Reputation: 286
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCR View Post
I haven't seen this one yet; sunscreens at the very least on your west facing windows. We did our whole house and it does help.
are they attached inside or outside the house? Are they the same as outside shutters or inside plantation shutters?
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Old 03-13-2008, 08:40 AM
RCR
 
Location: Chandler
264 posts, read 910,121 times
Reputation: 322
Quote:
Originally Posted by Panks View Post
are they attached inside or outside the house? Are they the same as outside shutters or inside plantation shutters?
Sunscreens attach to the outside of your house. They are much the same as the standard bug screen you get with your windows except the mesh design is different. You can order the screens in different percentages of darkening capabilities. I put on screens that block 90% of the sun and it really helps keep the rooms cooler. You can do less if you don't want your rooms that dark. In the winter when you want the sun to warm your house you just take them off. We have a 2000 sq.ft. single story house with 14 or 15 windows and did the entire place for about $600.
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Old 03-13-2008, 08:53 AM
 
Location: Southern California
421 posts, read 3,225,980 times
Reputation: 286
Thanks RCR! Are there any options for controlling the sun from inside the house so that you can let more light in as it gets later in the day?
I'm not a big fan of Levalor style blinds so I hope theres something out there thats better!
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