
SOLAR GRATES: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do the Grates ever rattle in the wind or come off? A: No. The design has so much open area the wind (short of a tornado) can't get a hold of it. The Grates have been remarkably robust and resilient in the face of thunder storm type weather over a 10+ year period.
Q: Will the Grates affect the window warranty or insurance rates? A: Unlikely but check with your provider.
Q: Do Grates have any advantage in time-of-use Utility rates? A: Yes. There are 3 savings: usage, price, and demand charge. Devices such as Solar Grates or screens block infrared through windows when the sun is bright and this is when the variable rates are highest. So, while your neighbor's a/c is running, yours rests (usage). Of course, the house will heat some and humidity is an issue but with Grates the a/c runs at night when rates are low (price) using a programmable thermostat. Demand charges are based on your usage when the Utility has its worst peak demand on hot summer afternoons when your a/c is happily resting.
Q: What about sunlight that goes cleanly through the cell without reflecting? A: This is normal. You'll see a waffle pattern of light and shade inside. A full shade pattern resumes when the Sun progresses to a different angle in the sky. One accepts the waffle pattern direct heat because the cell opening is what provides the view out.
