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SOLAR GRATES:  Infrared Blocking & Savings

SAVINGS:  (Using Grate Depth = 1.2 x cell size)

  • Air conditioning electricity savings

  •          =  3.1 kwh/ft2 windows covered/year

  • Usage Savings $

  •         = (932kwh/yr)($.128/kwh)

  •         = $120/year

  • Payout on Materials (excludes labor)

  •         = ($1200 matls)/($120/yr)

  •         = 10 years PAYOUT

  • HUMIDITY:  Humidity adds significantly to a/c load, taking electricity to condense water vapor in the air.  Grates do not affect humidity.

  • COOLING SEASON:  Savings occurred in Climate Zone 5 with cooling season of 3-4 months.

  •     >         Sunbelt results with cooling season of 5-8 months would be greater.

  • MAINTENANCE:  Nil after 10+ years in service.  Occasional touchup spray paint to overcome yellowing.

  • LOCATION:  Determines exposure to sunlight.  Priority:  (A) South & Skylights, (B) West, (C) East.

  • PROTOTYPE:  Above results with hand-crafted prototype.  Manufacturing design would cost less.

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