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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-11-17, Page 16Page 1E3 Times -Advocate, November 17,1993 L et these expers help you get ready or winter System solves R2000 ventilation problerns L.R2000, The better Build Home - are air -tight J marvels with improved air tightness which include ele- ments such as air barriers, vapour diffusion retarders, weather bar- riers and moisture barriers. Energy efficient doors and windows, im- proved insulating and sealing tech- niques have created some new problems. In the past air used to be supplied by natural ventilation through cracks and holes in build- ing envelopes. Drafts which are now virtually unheard of. Some of these problems you can see -excess humidity from dishwash- ers, laundry rooms and showers shows upasdamagingcondensationon win- dows and walls. Some of these problems you Iran smell -lingering odors from cooking, smoking and other household Vivi- ties can cause unpleasant stale, stuffy air. Some of these problems you can't see or smell -concentrations of air- borne comtaminents and health threatening pollutants from house- hold chemicals, building materials, carpets and furniture can effect you and your faniily's health. Of course, opening a window is the easiest way to provide fresh air but the costliest Windows help save f energy -efficiency is important to you, it J probably comes as no surprise that the windows you choose for your house can have a tremendous impact. But beyond the window, select- ing the most suitable glass system is an increasingly important part of your decision. To judge the energy -efficiency and performance of any glass sys- tem, consider these questions: • Will it reduce your heating and cooling bills? Your climate has a lot of do with how much you spend to stay comfortable, but so does the glass in your windows. • Will it help you manage the amount of heat that enters your house? if you've everelefi;yoarsar out to bake in the sumnf n, you understand the principle "of heat gain. During the summer, heat gain can make a room with a lot of win- dows feel uncomfortably warm - even with air-conditioning. A dou- ble low -emissivity (or low -E) coat- ing can block more than half of the sun's heat before it has a chance to heat up your home. If you live in a colder climate, taking advantage of free heat from the sun during the winter is prob- ably more important to you. In that case, a single -coated low=E sys- tem will allow more winter heat gain, keeping you cozier. • How well does it instdate (the E -value)? Heat is always on the move to a colder place. In summer, heat tries to move through the win- dows in your house toward cooler inside air. In the winter, the reverse is true: Heat inside your home tries to move toward the cold outside air. The R -value is a measure of how well any material (Such as glass or air) can stop that movement of heat. In general, the higher a win- dow's R -value, the beuer its insu- lating value. But comparing R - values is tricky. Not all window manufacturers use the same meas- urement methods. Some manufac- turers measure the total -window R - values, which take into account the entire window's energy -efficiency. And some window manufacturers use only center -glass R -values, which measure the insulating value of the glass only, ignoring the im- portance of -the window frame. • Will it help prevent costly fad- ing? If you've ever watched a fa- vourite piece of furniture fade away, you know what sunlight can do to your decor. You could keep your curtains closed all the time, decorate only in white or solve the problem with low -E coated glass. It helps block the sun's fading rays to protect your decor • And finally, how much natural light will it let into your home? Be alert for low -E coatings that can tint glass - and your view - gray or brown. Whichever glass system is right, for you, it could have a significant effect on your energy costs and comfort for years .to come. Closed curtains are a thing of the past. Fabric or furniture fading doesn't have to be a problem with the advent of low -E coated glass, which can help block the sun's fading rays to help protect your decor, as well as reduce the amount of heat entering yopr home. on a cold winter day,. To avoid or eliminate these problems you need to change the air in your home. 1 tact, ventilation standardsrecommend you axchange the air in the dwelling with outdoor air at a rate of 0.3 ACII averaged over a 24 hour period. The best way to do this is with whole Heat Recovery Ventilation System. Heat recovery ventilator (HRV) Where quality air is a must, proper ventilation is a priority. The ideal solution is to install a Heat Recovery Ventilation System. A good HRV will stop the damage before it begins. How an HRV works HRV's are installed only by pro- fessional contractors or heating/ven- tilation specialists. Ducts are hidden inside the walls and networked throughout the house. All you see are the air vents. Where forced air heat- ing is used, installation is simplified as the distribution d ticts can be shared effectively by both systems. A. Fresh outdoor air is brought into your home by a powerful fan within the HRV. The air is then filtered before it is pulled through the heat exchange core. B. At the same time another fan draws unwanted exhaust air from bathrooms, laundry rooms etc. and channels it through alternate passages of the same core. C. The core is constructed in such a way as to al low these two air streams to pass so close that their heat is transferred yet the air streams them - se lvesnever mix. Its this energy trans- , fer that warms (or cools depending on the season) the incoming fresh air, resulting in substantial energy sav- ings. D. The exhaust air then continues through ducting to the outside ex- haust vent. E. The fresh air is quietly distrib- uted through the house at a comfort- able rate and temperature. Choosing an HRV may seem a formidable task. But by asking a few simple questions and knowing a few basic facts, you'll quickly narrow the field. Q. Is the HRV noisy? A. Compare decibel levels of the various makes and models if they're 'flbt available, stay away. Avoid any a bit which is particularly noisy. +Q. Does HRV have a good rate of heat recovery? A. Over and above ventilation an HRV must recover heat. Compare. Look for the unit with the highest percentage recovery at 0 C and -25 C. Q. How convenient is it to operate? A. The control unit should be in- stalled in a convenient location on theground floor. Avoid HRV's which require you to go down to the base- ment in order to make changes. Winter is corning Fall is a good time for householders to make , sure everything around the home is ready for winter. The Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Rela- tions has prepared a home - inspection checklist to help people figure out what minor jobs need to be done before colder conditions turn little problems into big ones. "A householder's best bet is to start with our list, then go through the home and carefully note other items they think should be added," says Marilyn Gurevsky, at the ministry's Consumer Services Bureau. Gurevsky reminds consumers who want to hire others to do the work to be sure to get a contract in writing — even for minor jobs. The contract needn't be elaborate, but should outline what will be done, who will do it and start-up and completion dates. It's important to make sure repair companies are competent before hiring. "The worst way to choose a heating -system contrac- tor, for example, is to pick some- one who calls or comes to your door," says Gurevsky. "Talk to friends and neighbors, or call your local fuel supplier for the names and addresses of responsible heating contractors.' Here's a list of items consumers should check every fall to make sure their homes will stand up to winter's blast. t. Interior caulking along doors,. Windows, baseboards and in the basement should be carefully checked. Exterior caulking is equally important. 2. Weatherstripping and sealing bn doors and windows should be snug. tt3. Consumers who've already had frozen pipes should consult a plumber to see if extra insulation ern prevent this common problem 4. Additional • insulation may also be callers for if, say, the temperature in an attached, unheated garage never drops below freezing in winter, or a roof loses snow cover very quickly. 'These are often an indication the home is losing an excessive amount of heat. 5. Check the condition of the roof. Winter isn't the best time to rnake repairs or replace it. 6. Eavestrougbs and downspouts backed up by dead leaves or debris, can create all sorts of leakage problems when standing water freezes and ex- pands. Concerned about your Fumace Condition? Have it checked by your bed independent contractor! ' CONTROL 7 ' car; In11eatil l!; `x'n'i('t Fully licensed 24 hour emergency service 2344289 Specializing In service and preventative maintenance • OIL/GAS HEATING • FURNACES & FIREPLACES • AIR CONDITIONING • HEAT PUMPS • SHEET METAL 2346289 R E S I co E iv Adat !_ Q. Is the HRV easy to maintain and clean? A. All HRV's require some main- tenance andcleaning. Choose the unit that gives you easy access after in- stallation, accessibility will atso cut costs if servicing is required. Q. Is the HRV reliable? Does the warranty fully hack the product? A. Beware of warranties which only protect the recovery core as this is the part least likely to require repair. Ask fora warranty from a reputable manu- facturer that will cover all mechani- cal and electrical components for the longest period possible. In a R2000 home you must have a balanced system. They are designed to have ho effect (on either negative or positive) on the pressure balance of the house. This eliminates the prob- lems caused by both positive and negative pressures. Expense of heating our homes and the growing concern for the environ- ment has made many of us aware of the need to use energy wisely.THINK R2000. The' 3t new decorating idea may be the most practical Custom designed & built Fireplaces & Interiors BEAUTIFUL Whether you prefer the authentic ambiance of a wood-buming fire or the beauty and convenience of gas. Heat-N- Glo offer the fireplace products to satisfy your desire CONVENIENT READY, ALM, FIRE... Heat-N-Glo's Golden flame series is the first line of gas/propane fireplace products to offer the opuon cf remote control. This series includes our direct -vent models which liminate the need for chimneys by venting directly outside from the back of the unit making installations easy and inexpensive Specializing in Mantels • Woodstoves • Fireplace inserts • Gas & Propane fireplaces • "0" clearance fireplaces • • Spas and saunas One block South of Lights on Hwy. 21 Grand Bend, Ont. (519) 238-6193 SMART The fireplace is one of the most highly desired home features and Heat-N-Glo energy efficient fireplaces bring high returns on home investment THE CUSTOMER DRIVEN FIREPLACE COMPANY HEAT N-GLO has developed ander patented several "Firsts" in the fireplace industry. Our reputation as the Leader resulted from our commitment to innovation, quality and customer satisfaction. Jonseteill ."SWEDISH MADE" • • At pol 5 u•np caws Oven A, 1d IO Nov 30Ih. 1993 With every purchase, of Jonsered model 2045' - 2050' or 2054' receive free of charge a carrying case, a chain, a cap and a can of Duramax oil, total value of $80.00.' '2045 - 45cc / '2050 = 50 cc / '2054 - Sdcc 'ra Ara &INalV Sales & Service Phone (519) 236.4934 Fax (519)236.7330 22 Main Street, E., Zurich' Ailk NO PAYMENTS FOR 6 MONTHS FURNACE & HEATING SYSTEMS GAS & WOOD FIREPLACES Napoleon, Heritage, Heatilator, Regency, Elmira, Oldtimer Grand Bend Heating Consultants (Next to the Toronto Dominion Bank) 238-6707