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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1986-11-19, Page 32CI.INTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1986—Page 4B �%G1, �%G1i'�0lyl°�hGl�12r Replacing old, worn windows for ex1ergY savings Thinking about replacing some of the win- dows in your home? Whether you are doing it for aesthetic reasons or to save on your energy bills, keep the following factors in mind so that the win- dows you purchase will help put money back in your pocket. During the winter, large areas of glass can alternately chill and overheat a room. In the summer, overheating is frequently a problem. A single pane of glass has an RSI value of about 0.16, which means that it loses about 10 to 20 times as much heat as the same area of properly insulated wall. Heat transfer through windows is affected by: •the number of layers of glass or glazing material; •the amount of air space between the 'layers; and • •the thermal resistance of the frame and sash materials. Storm windows, or double glazing, will cut the heat loss through single -glazed windows almost in half, but in many parts of Canada triple glazing is worthwhile, particularly for north -facing windows. Both double- and triple -glazed units are available factory sealed, with dry air spaces between the panes ranging from 6 mm to 15 mm. Seals are usually guaranteed for 5 to 20 years. If the seal breaks, moisture may leak into the unit and accumulate between the panes. Triple glazing can be achieved by install- ing a sealed double -glazed unit and protec- ting it from the elements by attaching a storm window outside. But remember, to avoid condensation pro- blems it is important that the inner panes be more tightly sealed than the outer pane. . In the coldest regions of the country, a system of triple glazing will usually pay for itself in decreased fuel bills with 15 years. The material of the frame you choose will also affect the amount of heat loss. Metal frames are the most durable and require. very little maintenance, but they transfer heat in summer and cold in winter. Metal frames with a thermal break (a piece of material like plastic or wood placed in the centre of the frame) are more energy efficient. Wood frames have a much higher thermal resistance than metal frames, but they re- quire regular maintenance. Frames are available with a vinyl coating over the wood, which reduces the upkeep. Some are completely vinyl; these have an insulating capacity somewhere between that of wood and metal. The four most common types of windows are vertical slider, where one or more panes move up and down; horizontal sliders, which move sideways; casements, which are hinged on the side and open in or out like a door; and awning windows, which, are hinged at the top and open outwards. Air leakage is likely to increase with the amount of movable surface area, so it is bet- ter to buy windows that have some fixed panes. Look for a window that can be locked into a compression seal when it is closed. David Argue, a consultant working with 1 VERTICAL SLIDERS AWNING HORIZONTAL SLIDERS CASEMENT Replace worn windows Think of your home's windows as a long-term investment and invest wisely with quality products. the Solar Energy -Society of Canada, says that when you're buying windows it pays to do your homework. "Windows are a capital -intensive product. It's not worth trying to cut corners if energy saving, comfort, convenience and humidity control are major concerns." So think of your windows as a long-term investment. Look at a component like weather-stripping, for example, that won't last forever. Make sure it is strong and well attached, but also that it will be easy to replace when necessary. Insulate your home yourself and save substantially The cost of insulating your home can be decreased substantially by doing the work yourself. • Different insulation methods apply for each type of insulation and each area of the home, and there are a few tips and rules of thumb that should be followed by householders doing any type of insulating work. Insulation wraps the house in a layer that slows the rate of heat loss. Insulation traps tiny pockets of air. . This air reduces heat loss by conduction and since air cannot circulate, heat loss by convection is minimized. It also blocks heat radiation. An airvapor barrier is used to ensure that •Never smoke near insulation. Good light is essential, but avoid using an humidity from the house does not enter the •Handle equipment carefully. Sprayers, building structure and cause damage. 4 blowers and foamers require special in- open bulb as it can ignite some types of in - The insulating material must be carefully struction and practice. sulation and it is easily damaged. chosen and installed so that it completely •Wear long sleeves with tight cuffs, loose, Locate all electrical wiring and then avoid blankets the available space, otherwise heat thick clothing and gloves. Insulation unnecessary contact with .it. If it doesn't will escape through the holes. If the material is compressed it will also be less effective. Bear in mind that the cold side of insula- tion needs to be ventilated to allow moisture to escape and prevent damage to the insula- tion and surrrounding structures. There are four types of insulation - batt or blankets, loose fill, rigid or semirigid foams. All insulation materials are potentially hazardous and must be handled and install- ed with care. Read the product instructions closely. There are a number of safety Check and repair any roof leaks before ad - precautions you should follow when working ding insulation to, tile attic. Lay boards over with any type of insulation: the tops of jpisti br lower truss members to form a walkway. materials can easily irritate the skin. *Goggles should be worn if there is a possibility of insulation dust coming in con- tact with the eyes. •A nontoxic particle mask or breathing filter should be worn. •Hard hats are necessary to prevent head injuries, and to protect eyes and hair from insulation particles. •Vacuum fibres or dust .if possible; if not, wet the area before sweeping to prevent particles from becoming airborne. • look safe it should be inspected. Avoid heat stress: If it is a really hot day stay out of the attic completely. If you find there are nails protruding from the floor, wear safety boots, otherwise shoes with good traction are fine. No matter how tight the house, some moisture will find its way into insulated area. Adequate venting is essential to allow its escape to the outdoors. The basement can be insulated on either the inside or the outside. When working inside, keep yourself and materials away from the flue pipe of the fur- nace, or any other source of heat. Watch out for knob and tube wiring that is in poor con- dition (this is more likely to be a problem in an older house). And before you begin, be sure to caulk any cracks between the foundation and sill. If you're working outside, it is going to re - on costs quire a lot of digging before the job really begins, so allow lots of time for this step. If any services such as gas, telephone or cable enter your home underground, be sure to find out where before you start digging. Special care should be taken to prevent damage to exterior drainage pipes or tiles. If you don't have these, this is a good time to install adequate drainage and waterproof exterior basement walls. Walls are generally the most difficult and most expensive part of the house to insulate, but if you decide to do the work yourself, be sure to follow the safety precautions listed above. In most cases, the advice or services of a professional will be required. Your best source of how-to information on insulation is•Keeping The Heat In, available free from Energy, Mines and Resouces Canada; or call the HEATLINE at 1-800-267-9563. ou... Always Comfortable, Safe & Dependable. NOW HIGH EFFICIENCY! Ask us about the latest developments in new oil furnaces and update equipment for your current system. For 0-Smoke and High Tech Efficiency We are your . RIELLO and ENEROIL Approved Dealer 3 BULK PLANTS TO SERV YOU BETTER At Edward Fuels you can count on * Dependable, Quality Furnace Service * Guaranteed Oil Delivery *24 HR. 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