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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2002-05-08, Page 20Last weekend, Bob invited his friends over to help lacquer his floors. it was a blast. The vapours from flammaI4 solvents can easily ignite if they come into contact with sparks or open flame. They should- only be used in well ventilated areas that arc free from all ignition sources — including pilot lights. 27.5 C 1710041101 "Mined kimparalura Heat pump versus solar: let's compare for your pool (NC)—Since a heat pump puts out considerably less power than a nat- ural gas heater, correct sizing is important if the unit is to heat your pool adequately. Low output means that heat pumps tend to run continuously, which can be noisy and irritating. And, while it offers the advantage of being cheaper to operate than a gas heater, a heat pump may be less reliable and more prone to breaking down. Heat pumps take longer to raise the temperature of your pool than natural gas heaters. During sunny conditions, a solar pool heater can add heat as well as or better than many heat pumps. The temperature of a solar heated pool will fluctuate as weather conditions change. But, if a pool cover is used, the heat collected by solar panels on a sunny day can easily get you through a cool, cloudy period. And water temperatures will be back up again after another day or two of sunshine. Because of our climate, many Canadian consumers are skeptical that there is enough sunlight to sup- port a solar pool heater. In fact, there is more than enough. Figure 1 shows what daytime temperatures a solar heater can pro- vide for an in-ground pool in Ontario during the swimming sea- son. A solar heater in Ontario will have no difficulty keeping a pool well above the desired temperature. Solar' pool heating typically extends the length of an outdoor swimming season by two to four weeks at either end. With a solar system, it costs nothing in fuel to try for an early start or a late finish, whereas most people with a fuel heater can't afford to open their pool until good weather is guaran- teed. For more information on heating your pool and saving money and energy with solar power, call toll- free 1 800 387-2000 or visit the Web site at http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/redi. - News Canada 227 ft Crikaina 2.1-41unii 190 1999 t115-,Nag z‘,i,stug IWO 1999 1 993 1999 Date 17-Sept 1990 DaytIrria Pool Tar varatula Figure 1. Typical temperature profile for a solar heated pool in Ontario. Source: Natural Resources Canada. Oldfield's Your Yard & Garden Headquarters Come in and see what's new this spring! gfteat Atetheft'a, Dag .cifto, including: I Stepping stones I Welcome signs Windchimes / Trellises BirdhoOses I Decorative bugs & so much more Potting soils, peat moss, fertlizer, manure, mulch, bark, gardening tools, weedeaters, sprays, hoses & gloves. •Tight turning steering systems • Cruise Control • Excellent Warranty • FastAttach Attachments •Adjustable Seat • Environmentally Friendly • Easy Start RadioShack. Turnberry St., Brussels 887-6851 Le...a21 Oldfield Pro Hardware & RadioShack ' PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2002. Home & Garden 2002 What's your window decorating style? Quest i onnai re gets you started (NC)—For some homeowners selecting window treatments can be a challenging experience. With so many options and styles available today, how can one determine what treatments will best suit their deco- rating needs? It's with this challenge in mind that experts developed the following questionnaire to help people uncover their design and practical guidelines when it comes to choosing window treatments. • Your answers will help you get on the right track with a bevy of great ideas. As you develop your plans, come back to this list often; then you'll be sure that you've chosen a treatment that meets as many of your needs as possible. Design Guidelines • What's the style of your home and its furnishings? Often, it will suggest a window treatment style. • Is the window distinctive? Perhaps some interesting architec- tural details deserve emphasis. • Are the window's proportions pleasing? If not, try a treatment that masks them, such as a tall cornice over a squat window. • Is the view outstanding? If it is, choose a treatment that won't detract from what's outdoors, • How much space surrounds the window? Ideally, you should be able to stack treatments off the window. Where space is limited, choose a treatment that stacks compactly. • How will your window treat- ments look from the outside? If your home can be viewed from the street, aim for a consistent look at the windows; it should be in keeping with the exterior style of the house. Practical Guidelines • What about your current furnish- ings? If you plan to live with them for a whiie, choose a window treatment that works with what you have. If you're planning to redecorate, you may be able to install a simple treat- ment now, such as a valance or blind, aad add to -it later on when your budget or schedule allows. • How much natural light do you want inside the room? For maximum light, choose a treatment that, when open, clears the glass. • How much privacy do you need? Sheer treatments give some day- time privacy; opaque treatments block the view from outside at night. How much ventilation do you want? Where good ventilation is a priori- ty, choose a window treatment that doesn't block the flow of air. • DO you need to control glare? Sheer and translucent window diffused light. • Do you sun damage? (NC)—Spring is the ideal time to think about how you can improve your garden and there are several new trends to consider for 2002. Top among them: making your garden a peaceful respite. Create an outdoor living room • If you don't already have an out- door "living area" set aside, consider creating one by landscaping with decking, tile, cement or brick. Plants and trees will be instrumental in "framing" this area and offering cooling shade. Front yard, back yard • The current trend is towards maintaining a more formal garden in the front of the house. Neatly trimmed hedges, groupings of simi- lar plants and colours, and perennials all contribute to this reserved look. • An English-style garden is anoth- er popular option for the front yard. To get this look, lay a carpet of perennials with different plants growing through seasonally — this is a great option for smaller urban spaces. • In the back yard, a more casual look prevails, which fits nicely with the needs of family life. A light-diffusing treatment mini- mizes sun damage. Lining fabric treatments will protect furnishings and fabrics. • What's your life-style? Tool time • A must-have addition to your gardening tool-kit is a sprinkler, with a variety of settings for water range and flow, that can be adjusted to water your whole lawn or focus a shower on a small patch of greenery. • Another easy tool tip: have the tip of your spade sharpened. Over time, it can become blunt and a light sharpening will make digging a breeze. Home Grown Flora • Consider choosing plants that are native to your area — not only do they offer the added advantage of being easier to maintain but they will help attract birds and butterflies to your garden. There are over 14,000 plants native to Canada, with each province claiming its own unique flora. For more information, contact the Canadian Nature Federation at http://www.magma.cd—cnfgen. New plants and old favourites • Every year sees the introduction of new plants and hybrids. In- 2002, anemone robustissima is a good plant to consider. This perennial offers lovely white-pink blooms in July and August. and does well in If it's hectic, choose durable treat- ments that are easy to maintain. Save elaborate looks and fancy fabrics for less frequently used room. News Canada shade and dry conditions. • If you've shied away from roses in the past, this may be the year to reconsider them. New hybrids have been grafted to be hardier and sur- vive better in the Canadian climate. - News Canada treatments cut admitting glare while need protection against New garden trends for 2002