Q&A: A Forum for Green Building Experts and Beginners

Hello!

I'm remodeling a home and have received two proposals for a rooftop pv system. Having never lived in the home, and likewise having rented for the last ten years with my utilities covered by the landlord, I don't have a good reference point to provide for my normal usage of electricity. Both estimators assured me they could estimate based on the information provided below:

We had originally specced our project with Yaro UPVC but were considering options with smaller frames and similar high performance windows. One option is the Tanner Vitra.

The Vitra frame is 3.3” while the Yaro frame (currently specified product) is 4.6”. A difference of 1.3” in frame width. This equates to 2.6” more glass in both height and width (2 x frame dim.). This narrower frame will significantly change the feeling of openness one gets from a window of equal size. Of course the Vitra is more expensive and we're estimating about 45% more. Performance-wise they're very similar.

I realize the basement is considered part of the conditioned space, but I was a little startled at an HVAC guy proposing to cut heat runs into the basement (which we do not plan ever to finish). It's a 1901 basement with concrete walls to ground height and wood joists above that. Previous owners had put fiberglass insulation in the joists, which was a really bad idea as one can see from old water stains. That's long gone, but when we first lived in the house we used to get water coming up through the floor drain during storms (no leaks through the walls that I am aware of).

I am looking for an iron door that meets Energy Star specs, but am having a hard time finding one in my area (Greenville, SC CZ 3A). Any ideas?

If not, what about a designer style door, like an eyebrow or radius double door, with wrought iron in the glass?

I have looked at Pella, Jeld-Wen and others and am coming up blank.

Thanks!

Norman