Rolladen rolls in energy use

A recent announcement that power bills will increase this summer has spurred interest in Rolladen Rolling Shutters, according to company owner Fran Minnozzi, who opened the business here more than 23 years ago. According to Minnozzi, installation of the locally constructed shutters can lower power consumption as much as 64 percent.

The company started as a mom-and-pop operation more than 20 years ago, and initially 10 percent of its customers were small business owners. That number has grown to 30 percent, according to Minnozzi. The majority of shutter-owners are homeowners.

The roll-down aluminum slats are used to cover doors and windows. Operated manually, electrically or by remote control, Rolladens can be effective in deterring burglaries, noise, wind and dust, and can prevent bleaching of carpeting, draperies and furniture, according to Minnozzi.

"Shutters work no matter what the challenge," she said. "They add a peace of mind whether you're battling the elements, burglaries or noise. Once people have their shutters installed, they only wonder why they didn't get them sooner.

A combination of growth in residential, commercial and industrial segments of Southern Nevada real estate has increased Rolladen's business, Minnozzi said.

The company has expanded operations into a second 15,000-square-foot facility at 4405 Wagon Trail Ave. near Sunset Road and Arville Street in the southwestern valley.

New home construction remains a big part of Rolladen's business, Minozzi said.

As two-story homes comprise more than 70 percent of the homes built, according to Minnozzi, the shutters often reduce the heat of the summer at the upstairs and the cold in the winter.

The key, Minnozzi added, is to stabilize the downstairs temperatures. The addition of Rolladens help achieve that goal, providing livability all year round while lowering power bills at the same time.

Las Vegas resident Ray Hamblen had 19 shutters installed on his custom home. He said the shutters dropped his power bill about $300 a month. "They're well worth it," he said. "Our power bill would be frightening without them."

Local custom-home builder Paul Trudeau built a show home equipped with Rolladen Rolling Shutters at the 2004 International Builders Show in the Stardust Hotel parking lot.

He moved the 3,200-square-foot single story home to a custom lot in Henderson, where he lives.

He estimated the home is now worth more than $1 million.

"You can say that I'm both a homeowner and home builder who believes in Rolladen Rolling Shutters," said Trudeau, who has been in the home building business for 25 years.

"This was a concept home for future energy conservation. After discussions with show sponsor Nevada Power and learning that Rolladen met with everyone's approval as a way to lower energy costs, we added the shutters."

Rolladen custom designed and fitted the shutters on more than 10 different window sizes in Trudeau's model home.

"There are 38 Rolladen rolling shutters covering every exterior door and window," he said. "I originally selected them because of energy efficiency. However, after living for three months in the home, we became aware of the additional features of the Rolladen shutters that include security and noise deadening."

While lowering energy costs, the shutters are often installed for added security within the home and business.

Vice president Bianca Minnozzi estimated that 80 percent of the calls received by the company are placed by people whose homes or businesses have been burglarized.

Each residence or business is custom measured for the shutters.

The product is installed about five-to-six weeks after measurements have been taken; though assembled locally, the components are manufactured in Europe.

Company showrooms are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 878-1072 or visit rolladenlv.com.

The company is offering 50 percent off installation through July 31, Minnozzi said.