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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-11-10, Page 55Page III Hot fuel -saving tip: insulate the attic. INSTALLING 6" of fiber glass, insulation in the attic is ea+w to do and can be completed in an afternoon. Utility bill savings for heating and air-conditioning ran help pay for the inbulation in 1.2 year, on mo -4 home-. Most homeowners know that insulating the attic is a project even the un - handiest of handymen can accomplish in an after- noon, armed with a tape measure, some batts of six-inch fiber glass insu- lation, a large breadknife, and the sure knowledge that the heating and cool- ing savings wrll be great. But, the Home Institute of Certain -teed Products Corporation, Valley Forge, Pa., reports that today's homeowner often has questions about the proj- ect when he encounters attic obstructions, exposed wiring. enclosed lighting fixtures, and the like. To help answer some of these "what -do -I -do -now" queries, they've developed a baker's dozen insulating checklist . . one which even the professional in- sulators often use to make sure the job is completed effectively and correctly: t nu.ed attic'! 1. If your attic is to be used for storage, rather than living space, don't insulate the rafters over- head ... insulate the attic floor. It's expensive to heat an attic that's never used. 2. Use six inches of fiber glass insulation with a vapor barrier (either kraft - paper or foil faced) when nsulating an uninsulat- ed attic. The vapor barrier faces down, right on top of the ceiling material. 3. If your attic already has some insulation use unfaced insulation. The easiest product to handle is rigid -fit "batts" — insu- lation pre-cut to 48" lengths. This material comes in 15" and 23" widths to fit snugly between the floor joists. When adding insulation vyith vapor -bar- rier to existing insulation assuming you can't find unfaced insulation) slash the vapor barrier on the new insulation batts and install the slashed barrier face down. Do not remove the old insulation ... it all helps. Overlooked areas 4. Stuff insulation snug- ly around all vents and pipes which pass from the living areas, through the ceiling into or through the attic. These often over- looked areas around chim- neys, exhaust fan vents, etc., are . "heat leaks." 5. Don't insulate over built-in ceiling lighting enclosures. These often re- quire a vertical heat re- lease to avoid overheating, "burn out" or electrical,) shorts. 6. Don't ignore floor ar- eas under attic walkways. Often, the batts of insu- lation can be pushed or pulled through these openings between the flooring and the ceiling below it by using an iron garden rake. Under the wiring 7. Where p 'sible, place batts of insulation under attic wiring. That way, you can always locate the wiring easily in the future. 8. Wherever there are "X" members or other cross members between the joists, cut the insula- tion to fit underneath or around them. For "X" members. cut the 'insula- tion at 90 angles. In ei- ther case snugly butt the ends of each batt . ... to prevent heat leaks. 9. Insulate the attic ac- cess panel by stapling pieces of fiber glass insu- lation, cut to the same di- Q mensions. into the top face of the panel. 10. Be .ure to leave at- tic vents open during the winter. Properly insulated with 6', of fiber glass in- sulation. the 'living area v.ill have little heat loss and proper ventilation will keep the moisture lev- el low in the attic. hat to insulate 11. If you're converting unused attic space to liv- ing area, insulate only that area which is to be heated. Insulate across collar beams (the new ceil- ing level), down rafters and vertical knee walls, then horizontally out to the eaves, Make sure there is some space between roof sheathing overhead and the outer face of the insulation if eave vents exist, to assure proper ventilation. 12. Open insulation bun- dles only when and where you plan to use them. You'll find they mush- room to more than 4 times the original package size. 13. Use leftover scraps to wrap hot water pipes or heat ducts or stuff them in openings under drafty kitchen cabinets, etc. q Waste not, want not! r• • SOME PHACTICAL WAYS TO REDUCE FUEL BILLS, according to the Juhn �1d .n i1{eil{r Insulation Center. Mo.t important and most effective it to insulate the home, r-p� ialb the attic, top. Other energy -conserving tip. include. from left: opening drep-rie..,n ,unn, days to lel warming sunlight in; cleaning or replacing furnace filters to keep warm air flowing easily, and caulking around the out -Ode of windows and door frame., Now flexible races on personal loans... At the Ryi1Bank we the rate on you. Now the Royal Bank introduces a personal loan plan individually tailored for you! New flexible Termplan Personal Loans - now are available at interest rates ranging from 10-1/2 % to 14- '/2 % . It's a personalized approach to lending - because the interest rate is based on you,,y_^r credit history,_yz.g collateral and,your personal requirements. Naturally our lower rates will apply to people who'can provide appropriate collateral and have a proven cr4dit record. But it,also means, if you've never been able to obtain a loan from a bank, or if you are borrowing for the first time, one of our Personal Loans Officers would like to help you with your plans. 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