Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Happy Holidays from Naturalight Solar


Naturalight Solar will be closed December 21st-January 1st. If you have a leak emergency please call the office and you will be directed to someone who can help you.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Leaks?! Leaf me alone!



Many people understand the importance of cleaning out their roof gutters, but it is equally important to make sure your roof valleys are free of debris as well.

Pitched roofs are designed to shed water as it runs down the shingles or tiles. Leaf dams impede the flow of water, causing it to sit in puddles and seep up underneath your shingles.

Many leak repair calls are simply due to the buildup of leaves in the valleys of roofs. If you are uncomfortable getting up on your roof, most local handymen have special gutter and roof cleaning rates.

If you are looking for a referral for a handyman or have a skylight related leak issue, please call us at: 707-527-5330. We will help you stay dry this winter!






Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving






Friday, November 2, 2012

High-tech home in the hills

A few months ago Naturalight Solar installed a VELUX Solar Hot Water System in this home. Check out this article from the Press Democrat:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20121102/LIFESTYLE/121109968?p=1&tc=pg


Published: Friday, November 2, 2012 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 1:28 p.m.
Barbara Buck's front gate is only a mile from “town.” But considering “town” is tiny Cazadero, and that from her gate off King Ridge Road it's another mile to her second gate, and then a further trek up a service road to her house at the very top of the ridge, Buck is about as remote as you can get in Sonoma County without falling off the grid or into the Pacific.
But it was up here, in this damp-in-the-winter, hot-in-the-summer spot so close to the clouds, that Buck chose to build her dream “hunting lodge,” a fairytale of stonework and Gothic arches, wood columns and clay-plastered walls. It also boasts what has to be one of the most extraordinary bathrooms anywhere, a glass atrium with nothing but a fireplace and sunken soaking tub for skywatching.
“It's an awesome place when it's really raining,” said Buck, who has a fascination with the Gothic, not just architecturally, but literarily. She can't wait for summer to end and the dark and stormy nights to descend.
“I can see the sky and the stars and the rain through the roof,” said Buck, who grew up in New Mexico, “where storms are spectacular.”
The house proved a challenge on multiple fronts for architect Marilyn Standley and the building and engineering team from Leff Construction.
The 775-acre hilltop acreage offered exquisite views. But the remote site is subject to extended power outages and this house would be the last residence to be restored. At the same time, Buck wanted to build a house that was “deep green,” being as energy efficient as possible while also incorporating sustainable materials.
“What I thought was particularly interesting about the challenge of designing and building this house was that a luxury home, by its very definition, could not be green, just because of the size,” said Dave Leff, whose Sebastopol construction company was building “green” before there was a word for it.
Simply using healthy and sustainable products like safer paints, sustainably harvested lumber, a lot of recycled materials and structural integrated panels that are ultra-insulated wouldn't be enough with a 3,500-square-foot home. Buck also wanted seven fireplaces, but wood-burning restrictions required the use of propane to fuel several of them, making it difficult to achieve a “zero net” energy use.
So Leff and Standley worked with a team of sub-contractors and consultants to create a highly complex series of systems to control heating, cooling, power and lighting, all inter-tied and capable of being controlled on-site or remotely with an iPad or iPhone.
That means Buck, who manages her many properties as well as a family trust (her great-aunt was the late Marin philanthropist Beryl Buck), can turn down the lights even from her bathtub.
The $4.5 million house is close to being energy self-sufficient, thanks to a photovoltaic system with a battery backup system and a propane-fired generator.
Leff said the house features a really innovative and green heating system, using hot water heated by a solar-assisted boiler fed by pellets made from recycled wood waste products and pumped through a coil. Air is blown over the coil and then distributed through the house through a conventional duct system, he explained.
The brain of the system monitors inside and outside temperatures and air pressure to decide which fans need to be running and which aspect of the system to employ.
“This house is smarter than I am. I'm still figuring out the switches,” says Buck, who switched from a Dell computer to a Mac to control her home.
The whole process required careful coordination and precision to integrate all of the systems, resulting in a house that won't go cold and dark when the power lines go down, as they frequently do, and yet will consume minimal power. For their efforts, the project was recognized with a Design Excellence Award for use of innovative technology by Residential Design+Build magazine.
Buck wanted to capture the feeling of being outside while staying snugly inside. All of the windows are triple glazed with an insulation value of R-9. A typical window is R-2.
She said she loves her top-of-the-world location, above the fog. Wild weather just reminds her of her native New Mexico.
“I really don't want to be a big footprint here,” she said. “I'm a great believer that we really should appreciate this planet we live on, otherwise one of these days she's going to shake us off like a bunch of fleas.”
You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey atmeg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Let the Sun In: Top 10 Reasons to Love the VELUX SUN TUNNEL Tubular Skylight


10. Hey Ray, Go Away! 
 Ultra Violet rays are strong enough to fade your carpeting, furniture, hardwood floors, wallpaper, and can also cause the deterioration of fine art, and photographs. The VELUX SUN TUNNEL brings in light while blocking 99% of the UV rays.

9. Made-to-order
 We have flashings for every type of roof that will guarantee a watertight fit. Choose from three tube sizes (10”,14”,22”) to get the right amount of light into your room. For those people who don’t like the look of the acrylic bubble, or who live in HOA’s or have other zoning rules that forbid acrylic skylights, there’s the Flat Glass VELUX SUN TUNNEL™ skylight (TLR).

8. No Space? No Problem
 The VELUX SUN TUNNEL fits in spaces that regular skylights don’t.  Perfect for small bathrooms, halls, and any other room that needs light. No cutting through rafters, no light-deadening 8 foot long skylight wells. The highly reflective surface inside the tube means you get more light than a traditional skylight, and the ceiling diffuser spreads the light evenly.

7. Enjoy the Night Life
Many people choose to add Light kits to their VELUX SUN TUNNEL. You can replace existing lights for an attractive ceiling and have a skylight by day and an electric light by night.

6. Nap Time
 The VELUX SUN TUNNEL Black Out Shades are affordable and convenient. Just pop the magnetic cover onto your diffuser ring, and you get instant dark for naps or movie viewings.

5. Fast n’ Easy
 Installing a new traditional skylight can take days of work and inconvenience. In the hands of our seasoned installers, you can get your tube skylight installed in about 2 hours.

4. Penny Pincher
Tube Skylights give you all the light at a fraction of the cost of a traditional skylight, and let you leave the lights off during the day which saves you money on your electricity bill.

3. Keep it Cool
 VELUX SUN TUNNEL™ skylights admit passive light from the sun without the normal heat emitted by electrical light sources or traditional skylights. Due to the tube’s closed system there is almost no heat transfer in our out of your home.

2. Built to Last
The VELUX SUN TUNNEL is made from quality materials: seamless metal flashings, rigid highly reflective durable tunnel with a 20 year reflective guarantee, UV Stabilized Grade-One Acrylic Dome that won’t crack or warp under the sun. The VELUX SUN TUNNEL skylight comes with a ten year warranty against manufacturer's defect, rust corrosion and deterioration.

1. Health and Happiness
 Natural Sunlight is good for your health. Studies show that regular exposure to sunlight has many health benefits, uplifts your mood, and boosts productivity.


Stop sitting in the dark and get some natural light into your life!

Call Naturalight Solar, Inc today for a free estimate: 707-527-5330

Monday, October 8, 2012

Why we choose VELUX and you should too


“Where there is light there is life. This philosophy is at the heart of what we do, linking natural resources with human needs.”

Why should you choose VELUX?

VELUX is a global company founded on a vision of daylight, fresh air and quality of life. These benefits are enjoyed in millions of homes around the world.

“We supply products that bring daylight and fresh air to buildings in order to create a feeling of wellbeing. We are daylight engineers. Our products must be of high quality and reasonably priced. We carry out our activities with the least possible impact on the environment and nature’s resources. The basis for all our activities is the customers’ needs, so that they find the products relevant to them and get good service and value for money.”

VELUX partners with local dealers who are trained to install by VELUX standards. Local businesses know local needs and what products are relevant to serve those needs. This partnership gives small business owners the opportunity to thrive. Being backed by the VELUX name and their product guarantee helps contractors and consumers know they are buying a quality product.

“Our objective is to make visible the values of quality and thoroughness that are firmly anchored in our company”

Why do we choose VELUX?

Naturalight Solar Inc chooses to be partnered with a company that shares our values of exceptional craftsmanship and service. When we install these quality day-lighting products we know that they are built to last.

“Our customers are investing in are the benefits of a better living and working space for themselves, their families, and employees.”

Our mission is to give you a more enjoyable home or office environment, that contributes to your health and happiness. We promise to deliver the highest quality products and workmanship paired with over 30 years of experience.

Call Naturalight Solar, Inc. today for a free quote: 707-527-5330






Thursday, September 20, 2012

End of Summer Overstock Sale




VELUX Manual Venting Deck Mount Skylight 
Retail $799 Your Price $650 + tax*

Model: VS S06-2004 Aluminum Finish, Tempered/Laminated
Outside frame: 44 3/4X46 ¼
Rough opening/finished frame : 44 ¼ X 45 3/4
Prefinished white interior wood frame
Insect screen and operator hook included
Deck mount flashing not included in price

Two VELUX Fixed Curb Mounted Skylights

Retail $240 Your Price $199 (each) + tax*

Model: FCM 2246-0004 Aluminum Finish, Tempered/Laminated
22 ½ x 46 ½ Inside Curb
2501/2 x 37 ½ Outside Curb

*Purchased skylights must be picked up at our Santa Rosa office. No Shipping.

VELUX SUN TUNNEL  14” Flat Glass/Rigid Tunnel 
Retail $510 Your Price $399*+ tax

14” TLR-2000
Low profile glass design creates a sleek appearance on roof
Perfect for areas  that don’t allow acrylic domes
Clear, clean coating keeps glass clean longer.
Tempered safety glass.
Glass sits 1-inch above flashing

Package Includes:
Flat glass, shingle/shake roof flashings, one 24” rigid tunnel extension (for a total tunnel length of 48”), two 45° degree adjustable elbows, ceiling ring, diffuser
* To get this deal on the 14” you must have Naturalight Solar install your TLR tube. Please call for installation estimate.

Please call our office at 707-527-5330 for more information.

Warranties you can trust
VELUX Skylights and SUN TUNNEL Skylights come with a ten year warranty against manufacturer's defect, rust corrosion and deterioration.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Monday, August 20, 2012

That was then, this is now...

You would never install single pane windows in your house, so why have outdated skylights on your roof? 

Old glass and acrylic skylights allow excess heat into your home in the summer and allow heat to escape in the winter.

All skylights have a finite lifespan and your old skylight could be:

Costing you money in heating and cooling costs
Contributing to extreme temperatures inside your home
Letting in a draft
Leaking and damaging your roof or ceiling 





We recently replaced this old skylight with a new energy efficient VELUX Skylight.

VELUX is the nation's leading manufacturer of quality skylights. They use the most modern technologies to make their products energy efficient:

LoE3 glass skylights
Argon Gas insulation

Adding VELUX Blinds to your skylight increases your satisfaction:

You can control the quality of light that enters your space. 
They help you keep your home at a comfortable temperature
They make you skylight even more efficient which reduces energy consumption and costs

Naturalight, Inc. is a certified VELUX 5-Star Skylight Specialist that can help you determine which VELUX Blinds will work best for your new or existing skylights. 

Call Naturalight Solar today for a free estimate: 707-527-5330

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Sonoma County Fair Discounts


The Sonoma County fair opens today!
Wednesday, July 25th.

Local farmers, ranchers, businesses, and talents come together to celebrate all the wonderful products that come from Sonoma County.

To help you celebrate Naturalight Solar is offering SC Fair discounts!

Between July 25th and August 12th you can get:

$25 off one VELUX SUN TUNNEL
$60 off two VELUX SUN TUNNELS
$100 off three VELUX SUN TUNNELS
$150 of four VELUX SUN TUNNELS

Please call for a free estimate: 707-527-5330.

*Prices apply to appointments made between July 25th and August 12th and cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.
*Discount applies to all three sizes of VELUX SUN TUNNELS, 10”,14”, and 22”.

Naturalight Solar, Inc. in Sonoma County

Naturalight Solar Inc is a local family run business. Our family has been in the Sonoma County construction industry for over 30 years. We are committed to providing you with quality products and service.

We decided to make light our specialty because of all its benefits to your health and happiness The products we endorse help you to reduce your electricity usage either through using natural light in your home, or using solar to cool your house or heat your water.

 When you choose Naturalight Solar for your natural daylighting or construction needs, know you have chosen a local company that will be around to take care of you in the future. We are your local skylight specialists.


GENERAL FAIR INFORMATION
2012 DATES
July 25 - August 12, closed on Mondays

HOURS
Gates open daily 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Carnival open daily 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Exhibit buildings open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

LOCATION
1350 Bennet Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

TICKETS
General admission $10 ages 13 & up
Children $5 ages 7 - 12
Ages 6 & younger FREE!
Ages 7 - 12 FREE on Fridays
Seniors 60 & up free on Thursdays
Enduring, favorite family pastime, memories, local products
http://www.sonomacountyfair.com/fair/sonoma-county-fair.php


Naturalight Solar, Inc. dba Naturalight Construction is a
VELUX Five Star Skylight and Solar Water Heating Specialist.

Here is a list of some of our products and services:
VELUX skylights: deck mount; curb mount fixed, electric, and manual operable
VELUX blinds: manual, electric, or solar remote control
Skylight blinds and shades to fit almost any size or brand
VELUX commercial skylights: dual glazed glass or dual bubble
VELUX SUN TUNNEL skylights: 10”/14”/22” diameters w/ light kit & dimmer options
VELUX solar water heating systems: residential and commercial
VELUX roof hatch skylights
TruFrame skylights: fixed and operable; dual glazed glass or dual bubble
Installation of replacement skylights or new skylights
Leak repair and maintenance for all types and brands of skylights and tubes
Residential and commercial repairs and remodeling
SunRise Solar powered attic fans
Solatube daylighting systems: 10”/14” diameter w/ light kit, vent kit, dimmer options

You can count on us to do a careful and professional job.  We’ve done over 7,000 local residential and commercial installations.
Please call us for any assistance you may need with your project: 707-527-5330



Tuesday, July 17, 2012

What does loE3 glass do for you?


You’ve heard that VELUX skylights are built using energy efficient LoE3 and Argon gas injected dual glass panes, but what does that mean for you?

What is LoE3 glass?
·       LoE is a microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layer deposited on a skylight glazing surface to reduce the skylight U-factor by suppressing radiative heat flow through the skylight.  
·       LoE3 stands for low-emission cubed. It is currently the lowest emission glass available.

What does LoE3 glass do for you?
·       It helps reduce the amount the ultraviolet (UV) light and radiation.
·       Protects walls and furnishings from sun damage and fading.
·       Keeps warm air out in the summer and cool air out in the winter
·       Saves you money: properly installed loE glass can reduce your overall energy bills by up to one third.

Why are VELUX Skylights filled with Argon?
          
·  Argon is an inert gas and is a better insulator than air. By sealing it between two panes of glass, you have less transmitted heat/cold into your living space.

Is a glass skylight better than an acrylic (plastic) skylight? 
          
· VELUX glass skylights are superior to plastic in every respect. It is more energy efficient and more durable. Glass skylights reduce external noises, won’t discolor, or leak or allow drafts. 

Replace your old acrylic or glass skylight with an energy efficient VELUX Skylight:
·       Save money on your electric bill
·       Protect your home’s interior

Call Naturalight Solar today for your free estimate: 707-527-5330


Articles:


























Friday, July 13, 2012

Save Money, Stay Cool with the SunRise Solar Attic Fan


From the Honolulu International Airport to the Indiana Governor's mansion, to homes worldwide, SunRise Solar attic fans have delivered proven savings, slashing energy consumption by up to 30%.

Like traditional attic fans, solar attic fans remove hot, stagnant air from your attic which allows your air conditioner to more efficiently cool your house – cutting your energy costs up to 30% while extending the life of your HVAC. What makes solar attic fans even better is that they require no electricity. That means not only are your operational costs zero but installation is wire free and a breeze!
Solar attic fans are almost undetectable. With a sleek design for every rooftop, solar attic fans blend seamlessly into your roofline. And unlike an electric attic fan, they are extremely quiet. If it wasn’t for the energy savings, you might forget it’s there.

Cost Benefits:

Factor:
The SunRise 850™
Conventional Electric Fan
Cost of Fan
$495
$129
Fan Installation
$150*
$200
Wiring Cost
$0
$200
Electricity Usage (12 Months)
$0
$225   (average annual cost*)
Total
$695
$754
30% Tax Credit
-($194*)
-($0)
1 Year Cost
$451
$754


Cost in Year:


Two
$0
$225
Three
$0
$225
Four
$0
$225
Five
$0
$225
Total Five Year:
$486
$900
Continued Operation:
Operates for Free!
The Cost Keeps on Going!

Other, Non-monetary Factors


Factor:
The SunRIse 850™
Conventional Electric Fan
Attic Fire Risk
None
Moderate
Noise Problems
None
Moderate-Loud




*$150 average Naturalight Solar installation cost in Sonoma County, 1 story, walkable composition roof
*$194 Rebate = 30% off labor and materials
*$225 Average annual cost calculated assumes average or $.15 per kW-h, Fan runs noon-10PM, 300 hours per month,
           5 months (May-Sept) $.15 X300=45 45X5 =225


California rates vary from $.13-$.34 per kW-h. You can track your power usage prices here: http://www.pge.com/myhome/myaccount/charges/
Call for your free SunRise Solar Attic Fan estimate: 707-527-5330

Monday, July 2, 2012

The Whole Truth about Attic Ventilation


An effective attic ventilation system is a fundamental concern
every month of the year.
Most homeowners believe the principal purpose of attic ventilation is to remove heat from the attic in the summer.  That’s true.
But attic ventilation also removes damaging moisture in the winter. 
During the heat of the summer, ventilation helps keep attics cool.  During the cold winter months, constant airflow in the attic reduces potentially damaging moisture.  Properly ventilating attics is an essential precaution to protecting the long-term well-being and value of your home. 

The integrity of roofing and insulation performance is directly related to the effectiveness of attic ventilation:
When inadequate attic ventilation exists, insulation no longer can compensate effectively for temperature extremes.  Studies have shown that the dynamics of air movement throughout a house usually produces moisture in the attic, where it condenses on rafters and roof decking.  Left unchecked, this condensation can saturate the roof, attic floorboards, insulation, and even walls and ceilings. 
             A high-efficiency ventilation system helps solve attic moisture problems by allowing a uniform flow of air to sweep the underside of the roof sheathing.  In higher heat, this ventilation system will exhaust hot air from the attic reducing the temperature in the home’s living spaces.  In colder weather, it exchanges warm, moist air with cooler, drier air.  In both cases, the result is greater living comfort, less energy use and less structural damage.
Efficient insulation increases the need for effective ventilation.
Heavier insulation holds and absorbs more heat resulting in overwhelming attic heat buildup.    On hot days the upper rooms of a home are always warmer.   In most homes, the lack of adequate attic ventilation actually causes the downward flow of heat.  With an unventilated or inadequately ventilated attic, the longer the hot weather persists, the more uncomfortable (or unbearable) the home becomes because the heat loss overnight insufficiently compensates for the heat gained during the day.  Ultimately, this heat accumulation costs homeowners more to operate their air conditioning units and fans, a problem further magnified during these times of rising energy prices and black out periods.

Homeowners today have a variety of choices for ventilating their attic. The three most predominate systems are:
*      passive systems
*      electric-powered systems
*      solar-powered systems

Solar-powered systems are the most versatile and efficient ventilation system.  Solar-powered units do not need breezes, but do require locations that receive adequate sun exposure for peak operational performance.
Like traditional attic fans, solar attic fans remove hot, stagnant air from your attic which allows your air conditioner to more efficiently cool your house – cutting your energy costs up to 30% while extending the life of your HVAC. What makes solar attic fans even better is that they require no electricity. That means not only are your operational costs zero but installation is wire free and a breeze!
As the inventor of the original solar attic fan, SunRise Solar has proven to be an industry leader for over 10 years.

SunRise Solar attic fans are almost undetectable. With a sleek design for every rooftop, solar attic fans blend seamlessly into your roofline. And unlike an electric attic fan, they are extremely quiet. If it wasn’t for the energy savings, you might forget it’s there.

SunRise Solar's fans have been named "Best Product" by BUILDERnews Magazine and "Most Valuable Product" by Building Products Magazine two years in a row.
SunRise Solar attic fans are made out of UV stabilized ABS plastic - the same material used on car bumpers, kayaks, motorcycle helmets, playground equipment and much more. It's completely noncorrosive, heat and flame resistant and can withstand environmental abuse that metals cannot.
Call Naturalight Solar today for you free attic ventilation quote: 707-527-5330