Woman Claims Neighbor’s Energy Efficient Windows Are Melting Her Toyota Prius

[Lloyd Danforth]

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/01/25/woman-claims-neighbors-energy-efficient-windows-are-melting-her-toyota-prius/


STUDIO CITY (CBS) — A SoCal woman says the energy efficient window installed in a neighbor's condominium is melting the plastic components on cars parked in her carport.

Heather Patron of Studio City was dealing with a mystery regarding her Toyota Prius.

"The side view mirrors were melting," says Patron. "Anything that was plastic on the car was melting."

Toyota told Patron nothing was wrong with the car. After having the mirrors replaced, she noticed the mirrors on the car parked next to hers were also melting.

Patron then observed a powerful beam of light that was reflecting off the window of a next door condominium, casting a concentrated beam over her carport.

CBS2's Randy Paige placed a thermometer in the pathway of the beam on a partially cloudy day. The temperature registered over 120 degrees in less than five minutes.

"I'm positive that this window is what is causing the damage to my car," says Patron.

Patron is not alone. Reports across the country have alleged damages brought on by concentrated sunlight reflected off of energy efficient windows. The National Association of Home Builders is now conducting a study on the matter.

"I just don't feel like it's fair," says Patron. "I feel like it needs to be known that this is happening. And a lot of people probably have damage out there, that they aren't aware that it's the windows that are causing this."

The Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety says even if the window is the source of the damage, there are no code violations involved. The department says it's not against the law to install a window that reflects sunlight.

[Kat Kanning]

How strange!

[Free libertarian]

Here we go... gonna regulate the sun now, I just know it!   

[jerry]

Here we go... gonna regulate the sun now, I just know it!   

Or the obvious solution....hang a mirror on the side of the carport.

[lildog]

Interesting issue because if it is the new windows causing the problem then intentionally or not that neighbor is causing harm to others and therefor should be the one responsible for fixing the problem.

[Pat K]

She needs to mount some solar panels and charge up the Prius.

[jerry]

She needs to mount some solar panels and charge up the Prius.

And PatK demonstrates once again, there are no problems...only opportunities.