Clinton News-Record, 1984-10-24, Page 40Conserve Energy—Page 7
Energy saving measures
don't have to be costly
Do you want to save energy but are not
sure where to begin? This list of energy-
saving tips can provide you with ideas. You
can do some things easily at little or no cost.
Other measures require professional help
and involve a more substantial investment.
Many tips involve changing only the way
you operate your home and energy -using ap-
pliances. Read them and see what you can
to today.
Weatherproofing
• Locate and seal any leaks in the outer
walls and ceiling. Pay 'particular attention
to possible air leaks into the attic and
around the sill plate on the basement foun-
dation.
• Weatherstrip windows and doors to ensure
air -tight closure.
• Install storm windows or double -glazed
windows and storm or insulated doors.
• Insulate attic, walls and basement to
recommended levels. Check whether an air -
vapour barrier is also needed.
Space heating
• Set your thermostate back to 17 degrees C
(63 degrees F) at night and keep it at 20
degrees C (68 degrees F) during the day.
Use the nighttime setting during the day if
no one is home.
• Close unused rooms- and reduce their
temperature to a,minimum of 10 degrees C
(50'degrees F).
• Close drapes or insulated shutters at night
to reduce heat loss; open them during the
day to let in the sunshine.'
• Keep air registers and radiators clean and
free of obstructions.
• Clean furnace filters and have your fur-
nace serviced annually.
• Check the accuracy of your thermostat
during each furnace servicing.
• Seal furnace ductwork with duct tape and
insulate hot. air ducts passing through
unheated spaces. •-
• Close fireplaces and woodstove .dampers
tightly when not in use.
• If your home has been reinsulated, check
with a heating contractor to see if .your fur-
nace can be downsized to reduce its heat
output.
Hot water heating •
• Turn the thermostat on your water heater
FOR SAFETY'S SAKE
SAVES YOU MONEY TOO!
We'll remove all residue from your chim-
ney; make any needed repairs. Estimates.
WIRE BRUSH
VACUUM
METHOD
NEW
STYLE
CHIMNEY DAMPERS
INSTALLED.
DRAFT PROBLEMS
CORRECTED.
71.
4»-
•
�......% ._%.... _. .__ 'J
i
1
NM MO
MEIN
Ell
MOM
®®
"Prevent
Chimney
Fires"
CALL
LAKE SHORE
Chimney Sweeping Service
(We Go Anywhere)
Harold Leddy
524-7237
GODERICH ONTARIO
down to 49 degrees C (120 degrees F ). This
may not be possible if your dishwasher re-
quires water at 60 degrees C (140 degrees
F) , unless it has a booster.
• Upgrade the hot water tank insulation to
RS1 3.5 (R20) by wrapping it with glass fibre
insulation. Kits for electric and oil -or gas-
fired heaters are readily available. There
are safety concerns. Phone or write your
gas or electrical utility before proceeding.
• Insulate long runs of hot water pipe,
especially in cool basements or crawl
spaces.
• Drain about 4.5 litres (1 gallon) of water
every two months from the hot water tank to
remove sediment and reduce scaling.
• Turn off your water heater during vaca-
tions or weekends away.
• Install flow-restrictors and aerators on
faucets and showerheads.
• Repair leaky faucets.
Space cooling
•Use awnings, blinds or drapes to reduce
heat gain through windows.
• Ventilate your attic with outsideair.
• Keep air conditioners in good repair and
set at 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) or higher.
• Plant shade trees on east and west sides of
your house.
• Increase ventilation at night when air is
cool and reduce it during the day to keep the
hot air out.'
Lighting
• Turn off all unnecessary lights.
• Use lower wattage light bulbs wherever
possible. . • .
• Fluorescent lights -are more efficient than
the incandescent bulb type.
• Keep bulbs and fixtures clean.
• Install dimmer switches whenever possi-
ble.
• Make the best use of natural light.
Appliances
• Follow manufacturers' instructions on use
and servicing of appliances.
• Select new appliances on the basis of
overall energy-efficient design. (i.e. fully
compare energy conservation features and
durability).
Refrigerator/Freezer
• Set thermostat to medium range: 4
degrees C (39 degrees F) for refrigerator,
-18 degrees C (0 degrees F) for freezer.
• Defrost the unit regularly; allow no more
than -6 mm (1/4 in. ) of frost buildup.
• Clean the refrigerator coils regularly to
ensure efficient heat dissipation.
• Leave space around the back and sides of
the unit for air to circulate over the coils and
to carry the heat away.
• Ensure that the door seal is airtight.
• Don't keep the door open any longer than
necessary.
• Avoid overloading. the unit. Air circula-
tion, inside, is important.
• If you're shopping for a new unit, look for
the Energuide labels, which compare mon-
thly energy consumption of various models .
under test conditions:
Stove
• Use pots and pans with tight -fitting lids,
and match pot to burner size.
• Use energy-efficient double boilers,
pressure cookers, slow cookers and
steamers when possible.
• Use an electric kettle rather than less effi-
cient stove top models.
• Place aluminum reflectors below stove
elements to reflect heat.
• Keep oven door closed during use; 20 per
cent of the heat is lost with every opening.
• Turn off oven before the end of cooking
period and let the meal finish cooking in the
contained heat. (Experiment to find out how
quickly your oven cools. )
Turn to page 10.
Whether heating your horse, your hot water,
cooking your meals, drying your clothes, or at a
back yard barbecue, nothing can match the
speed, flexibility and efficiency of
Propane
CaII us today and find out more
about the fuel of tomorrow...
S�
par
� ings
CO. LTD.
HWY. 4 SOUTH, BLYTH, ONT. (519) 523-4256
"WE'VEEN MAKING WARM FRIENDS FOR OVER 30 YEARS"