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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-19, Page 42ome aid Energy quiz answers Answers 1. a)-4; b)-3; c)-2; d)-5; e)-1 (Score 1 point for each correct match.) 2. c): After space -heating costs, water heating accounts for the largest portion of your energy consumption. In fai�t, water heating uses more, energy than all of your lights and appliances combined. 3. b) : You should have your heating system serviced every year prior to the heating season. (This w`Ork could be done during the summer, but having it done before the heating season ensurs that you have not forgotten it.) Annual servicing is the best way to ensure safe and efficient operation of the system. 4. c): The first step to take in trying to reduce a condensation problem is to con- trol the amount of moisture produced in your house. This includes everything from cooking with lids on, to avoiding hanging wet clothes to dry indoors. Mechanical dehumidifiers cannot reduce the humidity levels in your house sufficiently in the winter to eliminate condensation pro- . blems. Charcoal -type fans filter odours but do nothing to remove excess moisture from the air. Opening windows can help remove condensation but'this isn't a prac- tical solution because of the vast amount of heated air it wastes. • 5. a Fireplaces laces can enhance the of a room tremendously. esthetics However, they cannot serve as effective primary or supplementary heat sources and 'often cause the primary heating system to work harder than if the fireplace wasn't operating. 6. a) : Naturally, a furnace filter should be cleaned or replaced whenever it is dir- ty. It is a good idea to check the filter at least once a month during the heating season. This will help the furnace deliver heated air to all the rooms in your house. 7. d) : Concrete basement walls with moisture problems should be insulated on- ly after the problem as been eliminated and the wall thoroughly dampproofed. 8. a)-2; b)-4; c)-1; d)-3 (Score one point for each correct match.) 9. e): If untreated, large amounts of con- densation can result in all of 'these problems. 10. Score one point for each correct answer. a) False. The thermal resistance of insula- tion is not based solely on its thickness. It • is measured in RSI (metric) or R (imperial). The higher the RSI or R value, the better the material insulates. In some cases, two millimetres, of'one'°typ'e of In- sulation can have a lower thermal resistance value than one millimetre of another material. b) False: No single conservation measure ' will always be most appropriate in every case. Assess the air leakage in your home, existing levels of insulation and the condi- tion of the heating system before beginn- ing an energy conservation program. c) False. The rule of thumb is to seal from the inside of the house. This prevents moisture from being trapped in the wall cavities and attics. The purpose of sealing from the outside is to prevent rain or snow from entering the wall cavity. d) False. Never vent a clothes dryer into the house. The heat you might save is not worth the excessive moisture the dryer would add to the air in your home. e) True. Oil-based paint or vapour barrier paint can help prevent some moisture movement into the attic space. However, careful sealing of air leaks into the attic space is even more important. f) True. The sill plate should be one of your trop air -sealing priorities. g) False. Some caulking materials are safe or appropriate only for use outside. Others are designed for special applica- tions, such as in areas subject to high moisture levels. Some materials dry clear and others can be painted over after they dry. It is always best to judiciously choose as many materials as required for the ap- plications you have planned. Inexpensive caulking materials may not be very durable or effective. h) False. Heat moves in any direction — up, down or sideways -- as long as it's moving from a warm spot to a colder one. Attic insulation will help improve the energy efficiency of your home but by itself will not make your home energy effi- cient Other measures, such as com- prehensive draftproofing and basement wall insulation, also warrant serious. consideration. i True. Since it's very difficult to install a continuous air -vapour barrier in an attic that is already insulated, this air -sealing method may work just as effectively. j) False. Earth crawl spaces should always be covered with a vapour barrier. Otherwise, moisture the earth releases in- to the air will make its way into the living space of the home, where it can lead to condensation problems. k) False. Do not immediately assume that drafty old windows need to be replaced. In many cases, thorough weatherstripping, caulking and the use of storm windows will do the job much less expensively. Windows should only be replaced if they are in such poor repair that effective air sealing is impossible. 1) True. Small energy-saving measures like changing from incandescent 'to fluorescent fixtures can really add up, m) True. And the reverse is also true: for each degree you set your thermostat below 20 degrees C on h'24 -hour basis, fuel con- sumption will drop by about 5 per cent. Now, total up your results and see how you rate. If you have a score of • 21 to 29 points: Congratulations, you are • an energy whiz. You're probably already enjoying' the' niany' benefits' of 'airenergy- efficient home. ' • 15 to 20 points: Pretty good: You have a good grasp of many energy conservation maywant to brush upa but you principles, bit to ensure your house is as energy effi- cient as possible. • 10 to 14 points: Nice try. You know a little about home energy conservation but you have a lot to learn. • 9 points or less. You lose. And so does your home and pocketbook. But it's not too late. Start improving your knowledge of energy conservation principles and prac- tices today and soon you too can enjoy a more comfortable home with lower energy costs: Whether heating your home, your hot water, cooking your meals. drying your clothes, or at a back yard barbegue, nothing can match the speed, flexibility and efficiency of Props Call us today and find out more about the fuel of tomorrow! sp Sparling's PROPANE CO. LTD. • • • HWY. 4 SOUTH, BLYTH, ONT. (519) 523-4256 "WE'VE BEEN MAKING WARM FRIENDS FOR OVER 35'YEARS THE PULSE "„` °ZENNOX Heatin J i Air Conditionin Based on over 40 years' experience in the industry, 1 am convinced that the Lennox Pulse super -efficient gas furnace, whether natural gas or propane. Is the best thing that has happened to home heating. Super built; super warranty; super performance; super dependabili- ty; super safe. That's why 1 sell nothing else. "We're Proud To Be Your Lennox Dealer” GBAILEYS Hensalt, Ont. , 262.2020` Serving from Lucas to Rlyth GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1986—PAGE 5B Ten easy steps to effective home energy 1. Turn down the thermostat. This simple, no -cost measure can dramatically lower your heating bills. For each degree you set the thermostat below 20 degrees C :,n a 24-hour basis, fuel con- sumption will drop about 5 per cent. If you have a hectic schedule, you might want to purchase an automatic setback ther- mostat to ensl're that temperature settings are made routinely. 2. Determine where your house is losing heat. Check for air leaks in exterior walls and around doors and windows. ' Draw a feather, tissue or smoke pencil around the area you're checking; if the material flut- ters, you've found an air leak. Also, check the level and condition of insulation in frame and basement walls, crawl spaces and attics. Determine whether an air - vapour barrier is installed on the warm side of the insulation. 3. Seal all air leaks. Once you've located air leaks, take whatever steps are necessary to seal them. Use caulking for nonmoving joints and weatherstripping for moving joints. 4. Install or upgrade insulation. All areas of your house should be insulated to recommended minimum values. The cost savings that result from adding in, sulation will depend largely on how much insulation is already in place. The priority should be on upgrading areas that have the least insulation. However, some areas are easier and less costly to upgrade. 5. Install storm doors and windows. Storm doors and windows help reduce heat loss by resisting wind infiltration and pro- viding extra thermal resistance. As an alternative to conventional exterior storm windows, you can purchase special kits for installing a temporary plastic sheet over the interior of windows and patio doors. 6. Test the efficiency of your heating system. A furnace efficiency test can usually be in- cluded in your service technician's annual maintenance call. Regular servicing is essential to the ongoing safe and efficient operation of a fuel -burning heating system. 7. Have your heating system tuned up, • upgraded or replaced. �:• is )': Your Luia.ace Letiuuclan can aurIse you on what steps are necessary to 'rove the efficiency of your heating syst . In ex- treme cases, you may have to p rchase a new unit. If so, make sure you c nsider ef- ficiency when comparing ifferent models. 8. Control moisture production in the winter. Avoid condensation problems b ing and limiting moisture -prod tivities in your house. For exa your dishwasher only for full 1 don't hang wet clothes to dry ind 9. Increase ventilation where controll- cing ac- iple, use ads and cors. nd when necessary. Extreme condensation or air quality pro- blems may call for increased ventilation — but only after all other remedies have fail- ed. Increase ventilation only enough to rectify the problem. 10. Use energy wisely. This is the last point on the list but; it is also one of the most important. Prudent use of heating and cooling systems, hot water, appliances and lights can pay off in major energy savings. Doors not properly sealed can allow a lotof cold air into your home Drafty doorways affecting the comfort of your home? Doors that are not well sealed and in- sulated will allow a lot of cold air into your house and have a noticeable effect on your heating bill. In any doorway, properly installed weatherstripping will make a big dif- ference. You should look for a product that is strong, secure and resilient. It should also be easy to replace, since it will be under a lot of stress from opening and closing the door. When closing the door, you should have to pulb it to' get- it latched. This indicates a pressure seal that will stop air leakage. Where possible, the tops, and sides of any door frame should be weatherstr ipped so that it. makes contact with the edge of the door to -provide a good sea'l"elieh'if th 'dbor should warp. • The V-shaped •compressible metal or vinyl weatherstripping is best. Weatherstripping against the face of the ............. . door should be checked oaten, because it will have to be adjusted occasionally to match the warping of the door. It is very important to weatherstrip the threshold of the door because this is fre- quently the location of serious drafts. This can be achieved with weatherstripping at- tached to the threshold or to the bottom of the door. If the weatherstripping is attached direct- ly to the top of the doorsill, it must be very durable to withstand heavy use. Remember to check for clearance - the door may have to be trimmed to accommodate it. Interlocking weatherstripping provides an excellent seal but is difficult to install. Any number of other materials will provide an effective seal, but the key is to check it regularly because there is so much move- ment within the + house structut'e, as well as from the movement of the door. - • If your door has glass in it, you should take the same precautions as you would with any other window. Double glazing should be used with adequate caulking around the edges. Since patio doors are usually us d only as windows in the winter, they hould be thoroughly sealed with weatherst ipping or duct tape. North -facing patio doo are pro- bably the best place to start if yo are con- sidering insulated blinds or shutt s. Storm doors provide an extra 1 yer of in- sulation from the cold and can be valuable energy conservation measure. hey are fairly inexpensive and their inst llation is not complicated. Vestibules form an airlock khat can significantly reduce energy loss through doorways. A closed porch, garage or specially constructed entranceway can lower heat loss when doors are opened, ,;.. If your home does not already. ave .one, you should consider constructing a vestibule entranceway when home renovations are planned. ET IT DONE RIGHT WITH CLINTON GLASS AND FELDMANN Remodel ... repair ••• or plan new construction with energy saving in mind! 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