Another summer...

Another summer, another home project. For the past two summers running, it's been my front porch and steps. I feel very fortunate to even have a front porch. It seems like a non-brainer in Hawaii's semi-tropical climate - a big shady overhang to keep the sides of the house from being toasted and trasmiting all that heat inside - but you'd be amazed (if you're not here; sadly, you'd be quit used to it if you were) at how many homes don't have 'em.

My front porch is on my mind as we've had selected areas with power failures this past week, and HECO is saying to expect more of them. Solar is nice, of course, but expensive (although the Leg. passed a bill that would increase the amount of the tax credit for a solar system, and also to allow one to be added to your electricity bill, so it could be paid off incrementally). Passive design elements, like a nice shady overhang, are the simplest solution of all, and one that never has to be serviced.

Now all I need is some of that relfective coating for the side of the house without the overhang... hard to retrofit a porch on that side. Dang.