20 - Friday, September 29, 1989 ~ North Shore News Give ee ea checkup — WITH OUR harsh Canadian winters, thousands of homes lose a considerable amount of energy every year through poor ‘‘energy health.”’ Just like the people who live in them, houses should have an an- nual physical checkup. You can do it yourself by answering the ques- tions below. ” Windows let in the sun’s warm- ing rays but they can also account for 10 to 25 per cent of a house’s total heat loss. Which of the fol- lowing categories best describes your windows? (Don’t forget to check your basement windows too.) Excellent All windows are double-glazed, with tightly fitted weatherstripp- ing. There is virtually no conden- sation (water droplets) between the panes, which would signal the presence of air leaks. Windows are double-glazed, with some weatherstripping. Con- densation appears only on very cold days in winter. 2 poinis Although windows are double- giazed, around the frames is worn or miss- ing. There is some condensation between the panes for most of -winter. No points doesn’t mean you're friends and faces. the weatherstrippirg. ote 2) oda Windows have only a single pane of glass, and weatherstripp- ing is well worn or non-existent. In winter you cannot see outside because the glass frosts up. Like windows, leaky doors also let cold air into your home. Heat can pass through the door material itself, or through cracks in and around the door. Which energy- efficiency category matches your situation? Excellent All outside doors are made of insulated metal, or are solid wood with a storm door. They are also tightly weatherstripped and caulk- ed. Although the doors are solid and all wooden doors have storm doors added, the weatherstripping is worn or ill-fitting. Some doors are warped. There are no storm doors and weatherstripping is non-existent. The basernent accounts for as much as 25 per cent of a home’s heat loss, making it one of the most important areas to insulate and draftproof. Begin your inspec- tion with the area around the headers (the beams into which the floor joists fit) and the sill plates (the boards which rest on the foundation). Excellent 10 points All ais leakage points are caulk- ed and the header area is insulated with a vapor barrier on the warm side of the insulation. The header area is insulated and there is a vapor barrier on the warm side of the insulation, but not all the air leaks have been No points There is no insulation or vapor barrier whatsoever in che header area. One of the best ways to reduce energy consumption is to insulate the walls of your basement. How would you describe your basement 15 points More than 5 cm (2 in.) of insula- tion runs the full height of all exte- rior walls, and a well-sealed air- vapor barrier is in place on the in- side surface. At least 5 cm of insulation exists throughout most of the basement (covering at least half the wall height), with a well-sealed air- vapor barrier on the inside surface. Very little insulation exists. There is either no air-vapor bar- See How Pags 21 out of circulation! Not All North Shore News carriers are young. Some are retirees who want to stay young. A NEWS paper route is an ideal part-time job. Most routes can be completed in about an HOUR — you'll get your exercise and keep in touch with your neighbors. If you're on a fixed income, the extra money is an added bonus that just might make life a little more comfortable. Most important, you can get involved in a meaningful, worthwhile activity that can acquaint you with new To find out how you can join our tearn and get involved again, call... Ti VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST WANCOUVER news Distribution SUNDAY + WEONESOAY - FRIDAY 986-1337 f EUROPEAN STVLE # ORAER SLIDE 3/ SQUAMISH ih 4 #356 CASING E #51 CROWN FRO “SURE STEP cc H YOKSKD STAIR TRERDinc 695 © UNDERLAYMERT 3” 10% | sale ON THRU OCT.13/89 OR WHILE QUANTITIES LASTS = ASIAN OAK 1/ suiceD RED OAK 4x8' sht. cunopean smi 49 | COWCEALED HINGE“ pr 110° full overlay aaa" 5h OFF 16 sht. 99 SET MAPLE 45 4x8’ SHT. PRIMED COLONIAL MOULDINGS 33’ #623 BASE 66’ #297 CHAIR RAIL SOLID PINE SHELVING BOARDS 39’) «61x10 67’ 2x10 ; -48’ 1x12 99’ 5/4xi0. 1.69 §95 MULTIPLY FLOOR 4” 8". | 16" TO 24” 45° 55’ & * ALL ITEMS SUBJECT ace) QUANTITIES ON BAND. "I ifr PPAR C70 N4, FURMITURE: SaMUSTAREAGESHAGUROOALORNUESUONGO |