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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-19, Page 41PAGE 4B -GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1986 oar re Ewer f r, Replacing old, worn windows for energy savings Thinking about replacing some of the win- storm window outside. dows in your home? r But remember, to avoid condensation pro - Whether you are doing it for aesthetic blems it is important that the inner panes be reasons or to save on your energy bills, keep more tightly sealed than the outer pane. the following factors in mind so that the win- In the coldest regions of the country, a dows you purchase will help put money back self in of triple glazingfuwill with 15y parlor in your pocket.h During the winter, large areas of glass The material of the frame you choose will can alternately chill and overheat a room. also affect the amount of heat loss. Metal In the summer, overheating is frequently a frames very little emaintenan mthe most aintenance, but but they transfer rable and require Ab prsem. A single pane of glass has an RSI, value of heat in summer and cold in winter. about 0.16, which means that it loses about Metl frames material with pa the err al wood break(a 10 to 20 times as much heat as the same area piece of of properly insulated wall. Heat transfer in the centre of the frame) are more energy through windows is affected by: efficient. •the number of layers of glass or glazing Wood frames have a much higher thermal material; resistance than metal frames, but they re - •the amount of air space between the quire regular maintenance. Frames are layers; and available with a vinyl coating over the •theatmal resistance of the frame and completely vinyl; ces th seehaveeep. Some are an insulating sashSt materials.do Storm windows, or double glazing, will cut capacity somewhere between that of wood the heat loss through single -glazed windows and metal. almost in half, but in many parts of Canada The four most common types of windows triple glazing is worthwhile, particularly for are vertical slider, where one or more panes north -facing windows. move, up and down; horizontal sliders, Both double- and triple -glazed units are whichmove sideways; casements, which available factory sealed, with dry air spaces are hinged on the side and open in or out like between the panes ranging from 6 mm to 15 a door; and awning windows, which are mm. Seals are usually guaranteed for 5 to 20 hinged at the top and open outwards. 'years. If the seal breaks, moisture may leak Air leakage is likely to increase with the into the unit and accumulate between the ts bet- er to buy windows that have mount of movable surface area, omet n fixed panes. Triple glazing can be achieved by install- panes. Look for a window that can be locked ing a sealed double -glazed unit and protec- into a compression seal when it is closed. ting it from the elements by attaching a , David Argue, a consultant working with VERTICAL SLIDERS HORIZONTAL SLIDERS L Replace worn windows Think of your home's windowsas 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 on costs 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. Insiilation wraps the house in elayer that slows, the rate of heat loss. Insulation traps tiny pockets of air. Thin 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 humidity from the house does not enter the buildi g structure and cause damage. The insulating material must be carefully chosen and installed so that it completely blankets the available. space, otherwise heat 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 Sotentially hazardous and must be handled and install- ed with care. Read the product instructions closely. There are a number of safety precautions you should follow when working with any type of insulation: •Never smoke near insulation. •Handle equipment carefully. Sprayers,. blowers and foamers require special in- struction and practice. •Wear long sleeves with tight cuffs, loose, thick clothing and gloves. Insulation materials can easilyirritate the skin. •Goggies should be worn if there is a possibility of insulation dust corning 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. Check and repair any roof leaks before ad- ding insulation to the attic. Lay boards over the tops of joist$ )r lower truss members to form .a walky aST.•r; , � ,• Good light is essential, but avoid using an • open bulb as it can ignite: some types of in- sulation and it is easily damaged. Locate all electrical wiring and then avoid unnecessary contact with it. If it, doesn't �....�. safe:f should be inspected. look it 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 thefoundation and sill. If you're working outside, it is going to re- It Pays To Stay With 011! Oil... Always Comfortable, Safe & Dependable NOW HIGH EFFICIENCY! Ask .us about the latest developments in new oil furnaces and update equipment for your current system. 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