HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-11-19, Page 35CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, l986 --Page %13
*At/Om/Homeghdfiiergy
Your home should have a
thorough fall energy checkup
Every year thousands of Canadian
homes lose energy dollars through air
leakage, poor insulation and inefficient
heating systems.
That's why most homes should have a
thorough energy checkup.
Here are some hints on how to in-
vestigate these major energy components
and improve the energy efficiency of your
house.
Air leakage control
Air leakage control is one of the most
cost-effective energy conservation
measures available; homeowners often
recover their costs quickly through lower
energy bills. So begin your energy check-
up by searching, for air leaks.
The colder and windier the day, the bet-
ter. Cold air drafts may be coming in at
major problem areas, such as around
doors and windows, and less severe leaks
can be easily located by pulling a tissue or
smoke pencil along walls and ceiling and
noting where the tissue or smoke flutters.
One of more of three different methods
may be required to seal the leaks.
• Caulking should be used to seal fixed
joints — those that are not intended to
move in relation to each other.
AlftWeatherstripping is used for joints that
ove in relation to each other, such as the
moving parts of windows and doors.
• Air -vapour barriers prevent air and
vapour from passing from the living space
into the building structure and insulation.
They are usually installed on the warm
side of the insulation and should be com-
pletely sealed: One material commonly us-
ed for air -vapour barriers is 0.15 mm
polyethylene sheets.
Insulation
Next, give some though to insulation.
Take note of what areas in your house are
insulated, what kind of insulation is install-
ed and to what depth. If the insulation
work was done by a contractor most of this
information should be written down, either
in the contract or in the contractor's
records. Failing this, you'll have to do
some scouting to get the facts.
You should ensure that all insulation is
in good shape (not wet or compacted) and
that an effective air -vapour barrier is in
place. You should also determine if your
insulation is up to current standards.
Specific recommended thermal resistance
values vary according to a region's
climate, but the general ranges are as
follows:
%%all.
ha'rmcnt
'.alk
ruin. and
LuIIIng'•
!lour, to\er
unheated
,hare,?
RSI R
to 1 5 It, t„ 2()
I3
4 4 to 7 1 25 (0-411
4 7 _'?i
In certain components of the house (for
example, a partly filled wall cavity) at-
taining these recommended levels may be
too expensive. Remember that there is a
diminishing return for each additional unit
of thermal resistance -added, So it'rnakes
sense to concentrate initial efforts where
little insulation works best if the area is
airtight; caulk, weatherstrip and add an
air -vapour barrier before installing
insulation.
The heating system
Now turn your attention to the heating
system. Is the system in good shape? Has
it recently received major servicing or
upgrading? Does it deliver heat to all parts
of the house evenly?
If you answered no to these questions —
or if you aren't sure what the answers are
— it may be worthwhile to call in a heating
contractor. This person can serve several
functions, from cleaning the heating
system and giving it a tune-up to recom-
mending upgrading or replacement. In
any case, have the heating system servic-
ed annually to ensure that it runs as safely
and efficiently as possible.
Basic do-it-yourself maintenance will
also contribute to the efficiency of the
heating system. For exarhple, keep the
system -clean. ' For 'eledtriu' baseboard' �
systems, this means refnoving the front
plate and carefully vacuuming the heating
fins. For a forced -air system, cleaning or
replacing the air filter about once a month
during the heating season will help.
Turn the heat down when no one will be
home. An automatic one seiback ther-
mostat can help ensure that adjustments
are made automatically. Also, close off
any unused rooms and reduce the
temperature to about 10 degrees C by dos-
ing registers or turning off unitary.
heaters. •
Finally, sealing the heating system's
ductwork with tape will help more of the
heated air reach its destination. Where the
ductwork passes through cool or unheated
areas, it should be insulated with an ap•
-
propriate insulating material.
ERU.E
YOUR HOME!
Call today
for more
information!
Keep the cold
out and the
heat in!!!
BALL-
MACAULEY
in Clinton is
your head.
quarters for....
-WEATHER STRIPPING
nCAULKING
flIROOFING MATERIALS
EXPANDED FOAM
DOW S.M.
FIBREGLASS INSULATION
_STORM DOORS and WINDOWS
BALLMACAULAY
. ..... .........
BUILDING
Wellington St., Clinton
4824405
"Talk tomeabout the
all -season home
comfort package
that cheats the cold
- and beats the heat"
Hoffmeyer Plumbing & Heating
Home Comfort. An efficient natural gas furnace
and central air package leaves the heat pump out in
the cold. A worry -free natural gas rental water
heater provides fast economical hot water.
• Cut your fuel bills with economical natural gas.
• No equipment payments or rental payments till
April '87 (ask me for details).
• (Name of furnace) gas furnaces are up to 98 %
fuel efficient.
• "Rent and Relax"
with a natural gas
rental water heater
- call me for a
Union Gas rental.
Cheat the cold and
'beat the heat with an
all -season home
comfort package
that's perfect for
you. Call me today.
HOFFM EVER
PLUMBING & HEATING
55 Kingston St., Goderich 524-7861
51.14
Enjoy the warmth and
comfort of the ,sun...
all year
round.
*Replacement
Windows
•Storm Doors
*Windows
•Plate Glass -
Clear & Tinted
• Plexi -Glass,
•Custom Mirrors
1
'Insulated Steel Doors
•Repla Windows &
Patio Doors
•Sash & Screen Repairs
GLASS &
MIRROR LTD.
524-7312 34 VICTORIA ST., GODERICH