Clinton News-Record, 1979-10-25, Page 28Page 4
Priority project . .
Retrofitting best defeitse against rising fuel costs
Home improvement profes-
sionals call it "retrofitting for
energy conservation"— im-
proving insulation in existing
homes.
It has become—for good
reason—a priority home im-
provement project.
The National Horne Improve-
ment Council points out that a
well -insulated home is the hest
defense against rising fuel
costs.
It's estimated that about 8()
percent of existing homes are
inadequately insulated. gener-
ally because home fuel was in-
expensive when they were built
and few people worried about
wasting it,
How times have changed!
If you think your home needs
retrofitting. NHIC suggests you
apply to your local electric util-
ity for an energy audit. In most
cases, there is a charge.
Or, call in a qualified contrac-
tor to survey your insulating
needs and estimate the cost of
meeting them.
The following information
'May be helpful in your discus-
sions with the "pros."
Amount of insulation
R-19 insulation in the attic and
R-1 I in sidewalis have been
generally accepted standards.
But, based on the climate in
your area and the projected cost
of fuel. it may he wiser to go
higher.
Some experts are re -com-
mending as much as R-38 for
the attic and R- 19 in the walls
for areas with exceptionally°
cold winters and a high depend-
ence on oil -fueled heating sys-
tems.
The "R" mea.ns "resistance
to heat flow" and indicates the
insulating ability of a material.
The higher the R-yalue, the bet-
ter its insulation.
Types of insulation
-Batts and blankets are usually
used for unfinished attics and
open walls.; -blown -in loose fill
and foamed -in ureaformirlde-
hyde for finished frame walls:
poured -in loose fill for un-
finished attic floors: rigid
boards for basement walls.
Where to insulate
Since most heat escapes -
through the roof and glass areas.
well -insulated attics and
weatherstripped windows with
insulating glass,. br separate
storm sash are essential energy -
savers.
Exterior walls and floors over
unheated areas, such as crawl
spaces. garages or basements,
also need proper insulation. -
Who should install it
Some jobs—such as install-
ing batts on the attic floor—can
be handled by competent do-it-
yoursclfers. But other applica-
tions—such as blowing insula-
tion into finished walls—need
special skills and equipment.
DON'T FOOL YOUR
THERMOSTAT! ,
Don't position a lamp in close
proximity to a thermostat. The
heat from the lamp bulb raises
the temperature in the air, caus-
ing the thermostat to "think"
the room is warmerthan it is.
• In winter, the heat will not go
on properly and. in summer, the
air conditioning will be working
overtime.
Quick tips on, how to save your energy dollars
• Onedollar spent on the ir-
nacc can save $50 a year.
• • Educated apartment dwell-
ers can force.landlords to elimi-
nate excessive utility _costs hid-
den in thc rent,
• A hot water drip from the
'bathroom faucet can fill a cup in
10 minutes and waste 3.260 gal -
Ions of water per year.
To heat that water, it took 27
gallons of oil. 1.017 kilowatt
hours of electricity or 3,484 cu-
bic feet of natural gas.
• All down the.drain. and you
paid for it and wasted it.
• An air conditioner placed
in a sunny window decreases its
efficiency, as do dirty filters
which should be checked once a
month.
a very bright idea
• How often have you
checked your utility hill against
your meter? Computers do
make mistakes. •
• C&amic cookware allows
you to reduce oven settings•py
25° because it retains heat espe-
cially well.
• A hath uses three times as
much water as a shower.
• When leaving the house for
an extended period,. pull the
plugs on all appliances that will
use energy in your absence.
such as TVs.
The idea of the "instant -on"
in televisions is a misnomer.
There is no instant on: the tele-
vision is always on, wasting en-
ergy and Money. •
• Most tires are under -in-
flated by four to six pounds. In-
creasing the pressure to the
maximum listed on the side of
tire will save yon up to $100 per
year.
• All the cracks in an average
house: taken together.. would
equal a hole in the wall.the size
of a basketball. -
Proper eorking and insulation
can save you $200 per year in
heating costs and more than $50
per year in air conditioning
costs.
• A 75e device called a
Shower flow resistor can reduce
the now of unneeded water and
save $75 per year.
• Buy V fol tires as early
in the season as possible for the
hest deal (June Or Jul.0..
From November on, demand
inefeases and so does the price..
• I f you buy a.solar Collector
to supply' hot.water. you can get
a federal tax credit and save sev-
eral thousands of dollars' over
the next 20 y -cars.
The above tips were culled
from a recently published -book.
It's In Your Power: The Con-
cerned Energy Consumer'Y Sur-
vival Kit (Rawson Wade.). by
StuartDiamond and Raul S:•
Lorris.
• To insulate well, Materials
must be properly installed. So
it's well worth the cost to hire
pro."
FIREPLACE
INSTANT
CONVERTER
THE CARMOR CHEATER:
An. instant Fireplace con-
verter kit that beats
the cost of heat.
This winter, be one of those with Carmor
Cheaters' who will prosper! Convert
that drafty fireplace with on efficient
downdraft stove like o Cormor and a
new Carmor Cheater' fireplace conver-
ter. Just insert the adjustable steel
panel in your present working fireplace.
Then connect your stove pipe to it. You'll
feel the difference now, ond later. when
your lirAegular. heating bill arrives! The •
Carmor Cheater' Fireplace converter
. never stops working and poys for itself
east!
HIGH EFFICIENCY BEGINS WITH
WISE
APPLIANCE
CENTRE
Reynold Rd.
CLINTON 482-7062
15 YOUR OLD FURNACE COSTING YOU. MONEY??
Inquire about a new effecient
SUNOCO
FORCED AIR UNIT
WITH NEW FLAMEIETENTION HEAD
Adaptable for Air Conditioning
• BRILLIANT DURABLE BAKED ENAMEL
• SOLID ZINC BONDED STEEL
• NEOPRENE MOUNTED OIL BURNER
• SIMPLICITY OF DESIGN
• STRONG WELDED STEEL
• PERFECTION IN HEATING COMFORT
• PERFECTION IN EFFICIENCY
• PERFECTION IN ECONOMY
• MINIMUM AIR POLLUTION
ALSO AVAILABLE
011 Fired Water Heaters
Slant Fin Boilers
Hot Water Systems
1
For Estimates Call
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WOOD & OIL
COMBINATION FURNACE
• Burns wood and oil in separate combustion chamber
• Switches from wood to oil automatically '
• Extra large firedoor 17W1 x 17W'
• Twin 10" blowers for quiet efficient operation
• Large firebox will take wood up to 24"
• Burns wood completely to fine powder
• Heavy stainless steel firebox liner
• Can be fired with wood when power is off
• Positive draft control for greater efficiency
• Both wood & oil fires thermostatically controlled
10 YEAR HEAT EXCHANGER WARRANTY
Heat exchangers are made of heavy gauge steel fo/r
durability, sturdiness and quiet operation. Scientifically
designed and --proved to give maximum efficiency, long life
and dependable trouble.free service.
CHISHOLM FUELS
529-7524 LUCKNOW
Saves money
Easy to Install.
Relieves Fuel Problems
And Costs
. 524-7681 GObERICH
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