WINDOWS / DOORS
Homeowners are veering toward natural, clean looks this
year, focusing on bringing the beauty of the outdoors into the
home. Bright, airy rooms are trending in all areas of the home,
from living rooms to bathrooms–the more natural light, the
better. By lowering energy costs and brightening up your day,
homeowners are designing with daylight in mind.
• Transforming windows to doors: If you’re looking to
lighten and brighten up a room, do it with natural light.
Adding windows or creating larger, more expansive windows
will not only bring in more of the outdoors, but can also
change the look of a room. Large windows that were once a
custom option are now available in mainstream models, with
some that can expand up to 24 feet wide.
• Allowing the fresh air in: ‘Tis the season for spring
cleaning! When you’re working in the garage this spring, you
may find it helpful to have a retractable screen door for the
garage. Whether you are doing projects, or using the space as
a place to hang out, garage screens keep fresh air in and bugs
out.
• Smart windows with auto tinting: Gone are the days of
having blinds to dust, with the introduction of auto-tinting
windows. Newer on the market, smart windows are equipped
with sensors that can read room occupancy, sunlight, and
weather conditions to tint your windows appropriately.
While they are still a somewhat costly option, manufacturers
are marketing them as a way to save up to 20 percent on
monthly energy bills.
• Going solar: The cost of going solar has dropped every
year since 2009, providing more homeowners with the
option of harnessing solar energy to power their homes.
Solar installations are increasing in Pennsylvania, but
solar currently produces less than one percent of net
electricity generation, according to the state Department of
Environmental Protection. The main type of technology used
to turn sunlight into energy is photovoltaics (PV). You’ll see
PV devices in fields or on the rooftops of homes where panel
cells absorb sunlight and create an electric field that allows
electricity to flow into the home. Individual PV cells, each
producing up to two watts of power, are connected to form
different-sized modules to fit any home’s needs. The module
is then connected to an electrical grid, converting direct-
current electricity into alternating-current electricity that is
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