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Clinton News-Record, 1980-10-23, Page 36doll Imagine. yourself at home on a cold. rainy night. You've settled into your favourite chair, the family pooch isf at your deet, and there's a warm fire in the fireplace. Every once ina while you lean down and ' toss a handful of crisp, new dollar bills onto the fire. If you can imagine everything except the last part, you may find it unsettling to learn that your heating system doesn't need any help dollars up the flue. An inefficient furnace, poor insulation in your home, or an I -don't -care attitude toward energy con- servation, can make your fuel bill look like the national debt. A new federal gover- nment office, Enersave- Heatline, has information that can. help' you avoid the feeling you're shovelling cash directly into your furnace, You can call them at 1-800-207- 9563 (toll free), or write to them at P.O. Box 4510, Postal Station E, Ottawa, KIS 585, The Enersave office has a number of useful free booklets, including "100 Ways to Save. Energy and Money in the Home, "The Billpayer's Guide to, Furnace Ser- vicing," er-vicing,' and `` -.eeping--.•-u the Heat In." The Enersave office can also advise you on the best type of insulation to use for various areas in your home. If you're just getting started on an insulation project, you may want to- take ad- vantage of their com- puterized home analysis service. Based .on a {questionnaire .which you fill out, the service can pinpoint major areas of heat loss In your honle,, suggest modifications to correct the problem, and provide an estimate of the fuel savings possible by following recom- mendations.. The `fBillpayer's Guide to Furnace Servicing" is particularly topical 1 as the Cold weather closes in. ,Since your furnace se5 4most-of-the-ftt pay for, it's . important that it do so efficiently. The booklet explains the importance of an annual inspection and describes the steps a good ser- viceman should take to ensure maximum fur- nace performance. 100. Ways to •Save i✓nergy and Money -in the Rome" also -includes a section on furnaces, but generally covers a wide range of ideas for saving energy when using ap- pliances, electric ; lights, outdoor equipment, or disposing of garbage, "Keeping. The Heat In" is a handy book for those planning to inst late. It explains where and 'how toinstall extra in- sulation, and offers hints. on selecting a reliable contractor. If you are "planning to insulate, you'll be in- terested • in the federal government grant for the purchase of insulation materials, . • Details. are available from the Canadian Horne Insulation Program. -Your Shell Agents Don Edward Goderich Do gas savingclevices work? Constantly rising fuel prices and uncertainties about sufficient energy this winter have, of necessity, oriented consumer attitudes toward energy con- servation. As a result, the automobile►f as become a prime target for many profit -oriented promoters who have flooded the market with a multitude of gas -saving devices calculated to raise the consumer's hopes to get more mileage for less gas. Frank Drea, Minister. of Consumer and Com- mercial Relations. is concerned that, in the rush to get the best deal for their hard-earned money, energy -conscious consumers may well be lured by •clever ad- vertising and irresistible zlaims about products that may contribute little, if anything, to automobile fuel efficiency. There are. two basic types of mtor vehicle fuel saving dvices on the market: fuel and lubricant additives, and mechanical "add-ons. The fuel and lubricant ad- ditives are to be added to gasoline, diesel fuel or lubricant. The mechanical add=on devices,- need to be in- stalled in the car and come in the form of fuel pressure 'regulators, - air= bleed valves, screens, special spark plugs, ignition devices and the like. Prices for these gadgets can range up to $60. According to Martin Friend, technical officer with the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa, over 100 of these gas -saving devices have been tested or evaluated, by either the NRC or equally reputable laboratories in the U.S.. To date, not a single product has lived up to its full claims or proved capable of any significant gas avings. L is look at some of the asic claims: + nywhere from five to 25 percent in gas savings through im- proved' combustion; + im proved ac- celeration ; - smoother operation ;- + mp,r eve d +imp,reved engine performance; +longer engine life; +reduced exhaust emissions. , Thorough scientific testing , done by the NRC or equivalent U.S. laboratories has revealed that these manufacturers have not tested their products scientifically (as this is very ex- Krisive) but have based their claims on the testimony of friends and colleagues. So how can consumers protect themselves? With any claims it is important to read the small print. Who makes these claims? Is it a Turn to page 8 Doan Scruton Clinton DEPENDABLE PROMPT AND CAN SAVE YAC MONEY! - He always delivers- right on schedule Call Don Edward or Don'Scruton, which ever is closer to you, and arrange to • have your heating oil delivered automatically. Calculating from daily temperatures as well as your fuel consumption record. 'he'll deliver on schedule to make sure your furnace always has enough oil on hand. So your home stays warm the whole winter. Count on him, for round -the clock repair service CaII Don Edward, bon Scruton or their authorized service man -if something goes wrong with your furnace, no matter what time it is, day or night. He'II have your unit repaired fast. And restore your home's levelofcomfort. RU57 BAN UNDERCOATING Special Complete protection for your car ONLY Have him clean and tune-up your oil furnace...11' could- save -you --abouts °k on your fuel bill. YOUR SHELL AGENT GUARANTEES PEACE=QF-MIND! Place -yourself on his customer list, then sit back and relax this winter EDWARD FUELS GODERICH LIMITED 524-8386 X6995 �RTH1r'r- ESSO SERVICE CENTRE . 79 Victoria & Nelson -St. Goderich 524-8612 helps