Increase energy efficiency when renovating home IF YOU are planning major home renovations or im- provements, why not increase your home’s energy efficiency at the same time? The cost of the additional work can be relatively low and can often be recovered through savings on your heating bill. IN THE BASEMENT One of the more common pro- jects undertaken by homeowners is finishing a basement. Such a pro- ject affords an ideal opportunity to increase the energy efficiency of this large part of your home, which can account for up to 30 per cent of its total heat loss. Begin by completely sealing the outside walls. Use caulking to seal air leaks around the sill plate (where the wall meets the founda- tion) and the header joists. Don’t forget to caulk any gaps around the openings in the walls for wires, cables or pipes. To reduce heat loss, cover the inside foundation walls from floor to ceiling with an air-vapor barrier. Apply the barrier to the warm side of the insulation. If you have excavated along the foundation, you can increase the energy efficiency of your basement by adding outside insulation before back-filling. REPLACING WINDOWS Before replacing your home’s windows, determine whether they can be more inexpensively repaired. Apply caulking around the frames from the inside and replace worn weather stripping. Storm windows can be installed on the inside or outside; additional glass will reduce heat loss. If you decide to replace your windows, leave the job to a pro- fessional. When shopping for new windows, ask the following ques- tions: © Does the frame slow the transfer of heat? eJs there enough air space be- tween the panes? Does the window compare favorably with others as far as air- tightness is concerned? ® Will this type of window be easy and inexpensive to maintain in the long run? e If applicable, to what extent will a “low emissivity’, or Low-E, glass improve efficiency? (Low-E glazing reduces radiant heat loss through the glass.) © Do the windows comply with in- dustry standards? ® How will the installer ensure a tight fit? SEALING YOUR HOUSE Warm air escapes from your home in considerable quantities. Sealing your house is the best soiu- tion to this problem. It is impor- tant to supply some fresh air to the whole house, particularly to fuel- burning appliances and exhaust fans, but this doesn’t mean you have to live with cold drafts. Plug excessive leaks and install a ventilation system that can be con- trolled to provide adequate fresh air. Seal around doors and win- dows and check the condition of weather stripping. Find out which product is best for each applica- tion. Seal all openings in the floor znd walls, in the attic and around ceil- ing light fixtures, plumbing stacks, exhaust fans and the chimney. EXTERIOR WALL COVERING If you are planning to repair or upgrade your home’s exterior covering, you can improve its heating efficiency at the same time. Some insulating materials are specially designed for use on a home’s exterior. However, such a project is beyond the ability of most home do-it-yourselfers. If you do not have the necessary experience, hire a qualified individual who knows what materials are needed and how to do the job properly. Hoping to save money, you can easily overestimate your abilities. While planning a thousand and one projects and envisaging the finished result, you may misjudge the complexity of the work. To get the job done properly and at a :~sanable cost, do only those jou: y-a know how to do best you.c»": and let professionals do the rest. If you decide to do the work yourself, proceed cautiously. Ask yourself: See Don't Page 19 GARDEN CENTRES Park Royal ¢Richmond @Champiai END-OF-SEASON CLEARANCE 15% to 506% off all regular-priced items! Prices in effect while quantities last 50% OFF 30% OFF 25% OFF All outdoor soil © All pesticides All watering equipment and manure e All fertilizers ° All planters & trellises and garden tools 20% OFF /|PLUS! Extra special savings! Shrubs & perennials | Thuja Brandon hedging cedars, 2 gal. 15% OFF Approx. 3’ high 9.99 each or 3 for 26.99 Bulbs e Winter pansies, 4” pot 5 for 3.99 THE LIGHTING fa C-E-N-T-RE| TABLE LAMPS © FLOOR LAMPS e NOOK & KITCHEN LIGHTING e TIFFANIES e CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS e BATHROOM LIGHTING e BEDROOM & HALL LIGHTING e DINING ROOM & FOYER LIGHTING e OUTDCOR & GARDEN LIGHTING, ETC. PLACE: 1400 MARINE DRIVE. NORTH VANCOUVER HOURS: MON. TO SAT. 9:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. DOORS CLOSE FOREVER SEPT. 3¢, 1989 UMASTERCARD ~ ALL SALES. ° FINAL”