New house upgrade for the Arizona sun: Window screens (how much, landscaping)

[HX_Guy]

We had these done yesterday to really try and reduce the temperature inside the house and hopefully save some money on the AC bill. I didn't actually expect the improved aesthetics but I think the house itself looks much better as well. Another nice thing is that you can't see anything inside the house from outside during the day, yet you can still see out from inside.

We did the front of the house (facing east) , the whole south facing side, and the back of the house (facing west)

(Photos taken with Canon SD850 IS and unaltered)

[ibarrio]

We have them...don't really know how much it actually helps in terms of lower costs...

[wit-nit]

HX, nice pictures, good job on landscaping and neat patio and furniture.
We put in e-windows which gave us more than 50% reduction in heat and added Cooleroo roll up shades outside that match the color of our house, and they give a tremendous amout of heat reduction and savings on the cooling bills.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by ibarrio

We have them...don't really know how much it actually helps in terms of lower costs...

I can't imagine how it wouldn't help lower costs.

I'm noticing a big difference in how warm the windows and shutters are. Before the screens, the shutters were pretty warm to the touch...now they are cool to barely warm...it's a three step barrier...screen, window, shutter...then inside the house.

[Synergy38]

Wow, HX_Guy you continue to be my favorite poster here.. not afraid to share what you're doing.

Those screens look interesting. But I gotta say you've got a nice set up and that mountain in front of your house is beautiful! Can you hike it?

Also I may have asked you before, but what area are you in? As someone still looking for a desired community it'd be helpful. PM me if you feel to divuldge.

Great pics and hopefully the cost experiment works out!

[HX_Guy]

67th Ave and Happy Valley area. Thanks for the compliments.

[artvandelay]

Nice set of hooters by your house!

Seriously, we are considering using a portion of our tax rebate to get shades professionally installed on 6 windows, 146 sq ft. SRP has an offer for 80 cents/sq ft rebate. I have no idea what to expect for cost, but I'm guessing $500-&700.

Nice pics.

[HX_Guy]

Your price range sounds about right. Ours were a little over $1300 for 14 windows.
I didn't even think of a rebate...I wonder if APS offers anything...hmm.

[JoePAz]

We have them for our house and they make a massive difference. However they also make our place dark so I go through the effort of putting them up in summer and taking them down in the winter. Basicly once the A/C goes on for good they go up and when the A/C goes off they come down. Our back yard is west facing and the west facing rooms really get hit hard. One room has a sliding door where I put in a dog door in there. So when I close the sunshade/bugscreen all the way it blocks the dog door. When I have open a little I can feel a massive difference in the heat from unscreened part to the screened part. I figure 10-15F. If I combine that with closing the blinds the difference is amazing. It is hard to see what it does for actual energy costs, but you can feel the heat difference. The only thing I hate is how dark they make the house and that is why I take them down for winter.

[HX_Guy]

Yea the dark rooms are taking some getting used to...it feels like its permanently 4am outside, like daylight is just breaking. Even with the shutters fully open, it feels as if its cloudy outside...light comes in but there is no glare whatsoever, so it's a very muted sort of light.

I have a feeling we'll be removing them during the winter months as well.