it’s tik

air GOn

AS SUMMER leaves the land it's
important to properly bed down
your central air conditioner, or
window air conditioners.

(There is a temptation to run air
conditioners in cool weather to ex-
haust stale or smoky air. Resist it.
An air conditioner should not run
when it’s below 13°C (55°F) out-
side. This can damage the com-
pressor.)

With your central system it's
important to clean up the outside
unit. This involves brushing away
grass clippings and deadfall from
trees, and washing the unit down
with your garden hose.

This latter step is especially im-
portant, particularly if there are
any wandering dogs in your
neighborhood. Dog urine is highly
corrosive.

You can cover the unit if you
like. It doesn’t require any protec-

ie to tuck

tion from the weather but if there’s
a possibility of ice-covered tree
branches falling on it, it’s Wise to
take safety measures. If you do
cover it, make sure that the cover
does not hang right to the ground.
It's extremely important that air be
allowed to circulate under it.

Otherwise humidity will con-
dense inside the unit and could
drastically shorten its life.

Window units are weatherproof.
There’s no need to protect them.
However there is a need to protect
yourself from the draughts they
can let in which will increase your
fuel bill, It’s preferable, if possi-
ble, to remove the unit from the
window and install the storm win-
dow. If that can’t be done, place a
piece of cardboard between the in-
side cover and the fins. (The cover
is easily removable for this pur-
pose.)

Know facts before
buying a

A SOAK in the hot tub, rather
than a dip in the pool, is fast
becoming a popular trend in the
"80s.

Prefabricated and custom
designed spas and hot tubs have
been making gains over the in-
ground swimming pool market in
total unit sales for the past three
years in Canada. The acrylic spas,
in particular, are more popular
than hot tubs.

With the availability of cedar
skirts and trim for acrylic spas, the
consumer can still experience the
woody look but enjoy the
smoothness and advantages of an
acrylic surface.

Another emerging trend in the
outdoor spa market is towards the
self contained type of spa. Self
contained spas will hold up to six
pecple and are equipped with an
equipment pack under the skirt.
The complete unit is simply placed
on a cement patio.

In cases where the consumer
wishes to install a customized spa,

hot tub

a spa support pack is chosen with
an adequate HP capacity and
heating capability. In this case, the
spa support pack is located remote
from the tub, and the installation
must be approved by a provincial
electrical inspector.

Consumers should be aware of
some facts before purchasing a spa
or hot tub:

e Except for portable
hydromassage units, spas must be
permanently connected to supply
circuits.

¢ Consumers are required by law
to have their installation inspected
by the proper regulatory authority.
Phone your hydro utility for in-
formation on the authority in your
province/territory.

© Make sure your spa or hot tub
is installed in accordance with the
Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1,
by a qualified electrician.

¢ Individual components of the
spa may be CSA certified but not
necessarily the whole unii as a
package for its intended applica-
tion.

Plant for your pond

WATER CALLA — an attractive
member of the Arum family — is
common in the quiet, shallow
backwater of marshes, ponds and
lakes across Canada.

Often found in groups, the
plants grow to a height of about 20
cm., with clusters of broad, heart-
shaped leaves and striking flower

heads. The tiny yellow flowers are
borne on a_ club-like  spadix,
around which rises a pure white
hood or spathe.

The plants are perennial and
new growth starts from rooting
nodes on the thick, creeping
rootstock,

PaANGPation p «

ditioners for

Also, wrap old towelling or a
piece of old shower curtain around
the unit inside. The objective is to
shut off air leakage in the space
between the air conditioner and the

17 - Friday, September 16, 1988 - North Shore News

your

inter

window frame.

Take these simple steps and your
air conditioner will be ready to
serve you well when summer comes
again.

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