Bibliographic entry (nonfiction):

William A. Shurcliff, Thermal Shutters and Shades William K. Langdon, Movable Insulation

It is looking highly possible that Y2K will cause a major disruption in the international crude oil supply chains. This means another energy crisis at least as bad as the one that began with the OPEC oil embargo in 1973. There is no telling how long it will last -- or if we will ever again get back to current levels of abundant, inexpensive energy.

Thus, energy conservation will be an important issue, both during Y2K and in the aftermath. One effective, low-cost, and relatively low-tech approach is to retrofit residential windows with shutters or shades. Windows are a major source of energy loss, and there is only so much that can be done with multiple glazing layers, reflective coatings, etc. Shutters or shades can be very effective in dramatically reducing energy losses through windows. There are a large number of options, many of which can be fabricated by homeowners for relatively low cost. The two titles listed above provide exhaustive practical information, and either would be a useful reference to consult.

-- Stefan Stackhouse (stefans@mindspring.com), August 15, 1999

Answers

Stefan:

I agree. The Y2K prep books never seem to mention these items.

I am currently retrofitting windows and doors to my home. In addition, I am looking for a roofer to install a metal roof. My calculations are that these two items will reduce my heating and cooling bills by 50%. This will make it much easier to burn wood to heat my home (less to cut) and to keep reasonably cool in the summer, even if the AC can't be turned on.

It is amazing how much energy is wasted by developers who buy the cheapest windows, doors roofing siding, AC and heating systems, and by home buyers who don't ask questions. I am personally most worried about the energy situation, as so much in the US is designed to be cheaper at first cost and use more energy.

-- Dick Patton (patton@ra.msstate.edu), August 15, 1999.

Stefan,

We will be putting a new roof on an old log cabin we just bought and I have been wondering about a metal roof for energy efficiency, but had not really seen any information about it. Are metal roofs truly more efficient and could you give me some resources. Thank you and God bless. Mary

-- Mary (SWEEP6@prodigy.net), August 17, 1999.

I am currently living in a cabin with a tin roof. It sounds wonderful when it rains, but in the summertime the heat it collects is amazing. We had to install an exhaust fan in the attic to blow out the excess heat.

The seams on a tin roof can seperate over time allowing water to run in as it runs down the seam. Be sure to install your roof with screws, not nails, and caulk the screwheads. Run a line of roofing cement or silicon caulk down the seam as you overlap the tin panels.

Unless you go for the expensive aluminum stuff, be prepared to get up on the roof and repaint with aluminized paint every 5 years or so. Tin roofs do rust out.

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), August 18, 1999.

I hope all of you who posted on this thread will contact both a building official, a building supply store, and/or an engineer. The info being shared and/or requested here is so uninformed that I don't even want to take the time to respond.

Whew.

-- Al K. Lloyd (all@ready.now), October 10, 1999.

Many people in our rural area have steel roofs. They are attractive, fireproof and the snow doesn't stick on them. You can get them in a variety of colors, but you do have to repaint them. I am re-roofing mine with composite simply because it is less slippery to do annual maintenance such as gutter cleaning and fireplace brushing. It does mean, however, that I have to get up there an shovel snow when it exceeds 2-3 feet. (bummer.....)

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), October 11, 1999.