Panama home buying - Gay Expats Panama

Jalousie Windows and Single-Pane Glass in Panama: The Hidden Electricity Cost Most Buyers Miss – Part 8

May 16, 2026May 15, 2026

Jalousie windows were designed for a life without air conditioning. In Panama, where you cool 24 hours a day, they leak air at five to seven times the rate of any modern replacement window — and your AC fights every cubic foot of it. We walk through the U-factor, SHGC, air leakage ratings, and frame types that matter in a hot-humid climate, what thermally broken aluminum means and why it is non-negotiable here, and what window film can and cannot do for renters who cannot replace what they have.

Mini Splits, Solar & What to Check Before You Buy: The Panama Expat Electricity Playbook – Part 5

May 16, 2026May 15, 2026

Mini-split AC units offer the best value to cool your home in Panama

Central air is the wrong answer in Panama, and most Americans moving here don’t find that out until they see the first bill. This post covers the practical decisions: why high-efficiency mini splits are the right call and what SEER rating actually matters, whether solar pencils out financially (it increasingly does), what jalousie windows are quietly doing to your electricity costs, why gas appliances are the fastest route to a lower bill, and a 12-item electrical checklist for anyone buying a home in Panama. The goal is a monthly electric bill that stays in the subsidized tier — and it’s achievable with deliberate choices.

Panama Construction 101: What American Expats Need to Know Before Buying or Remodeling

May 31, 2026May 7, 2026

We built a bar in Spain and thought we understood masonry construction. Panama made us start over. Before you buy a home here — especially if you plan to renovate — you need to understand why the walls are solid concrete, why there’s no drywall, why your U.S. hammer skills mostly don’t transfer, and why moving a single wire might mean calling someone with a jackhammer.

Every post. Every month. You choose.