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.
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
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
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.
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.
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*
• 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*
• 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
• 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.
· 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.
· 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
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