12 - Friday, October 7, 1988 - Consider energy efficiency when buying a new home BUYING A resale home is a major and complex decision. Potential home buyers often find themselves weighing many different and con- flicting issues, such as the house price, location and various features. . Today, more than ever, people look at energy efficiency as a determining f¢ ctor in their decision to buy a house. Energy-efficient homes provide a degree of protection against in- flation, are more comfortable to live in, and result in lower space heating and other energy costs. It all adds up to a wise investment. The best way to accurately determine a home’s energy effi- ciency is to examine the energy bills. Total annual energy costs in- a, clude the bill for space and water oy heating, as well as electricity for " lights and appliances. The realtor can ubually provide the home’s energy bills, but if this information is not readily available, the seller can obtain it by writing directly to the utility or fuel supplier. It is important to get the bills for all types of energy (including electrici- ty, fuel, oil, natural gas, propane and wood) since some homes use more than one fuel for space heating. - However, since energy im- provements can be made in most houses, the energy bill should be regarded only as a starting point for comparison purposes. The specific factors that influence a 1 home’s energy costs, and the potential for improving its energy efficiency, can be assessed by do- ing a simple ‘‘energy walk- through’’. : Even with limited time and technical expertise, you can make a basic evaluation of the factors that affect a hcme’s energy efficiency. It’s a good idea to start the walk-through ‘by examining the heating system, The age of a home’s heating system is an important factor, as it determines whether or not the system. will have to be replaced in the near future. Furnaces generally last’ from 15 to. 20 years, while boilers can last for 25 years or longer. ' The heating system’s efficiency ‘is also a major determinant of the energy bill. System (oil, gas or propane) operates at a steady-state efficiency of 50 to .65 per cent; a mid-effi- ciency system in the 75 to 85 per cent range; and a high-efficiency system from 90 to 98 per cent. Determine whether the previous homeowner has had an efficiency the results were. You should also determine whether the homeowner has had the system cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, and improve the system’s efficiency, especially for oil furnaces. ~ _ This might include the installa- tion of. a. flame retention head burner, an automatic flue damper, or a solenoid valve, “While replacement: of an effi- cient heating system with a-riew, high-efficiency model can significantly reduce space heating costs, it can also be an expensive undertaking. The kind_of energy a home uses : is also important. If the home you Lo are considering features a wood : furnace, wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure these are airtight and certified by an approved testing. agency, such as the Cana- dian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). Also make sure that their in- stallation has been approved by the local fire marshall or building in- spector. Keep in mind that North Shore News A standard heating’ tesf done recently, and if so, what ; if any measures have been taken to . fireplaces are not considered an ef- ficient source of heat. Chimneys, an important part of any heating system, should be in good condi- tion both inside and outside. Air leakage, which can account for between 20 and 30 per cent of a home’s heat loss, is the next stop on the energy walk-through. Examine windows and doors for continuous, flexible and tight seal- ing weatherstripping around all moveable joints. Trim around the windows, doors and baseboards should be caulked so that you can’t feel any air movement. Remember that a good do-it- yourself air sealing job can be time consuming but relatively inexpen- sive. While air leakage should be minimized, the house must also have good ventilation to guard against stale air. Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom should always be vented to the outside. , Moisture problems, such as ,Staining on the walls and ceilings, or mildew and mustiness, can be signs of inadequate ventilation. While air sealing and heating systems play important roles in determining energy efficiency, it is wise to determine the insulation level (and potential} of a given house. For example, attics should have at least 200 to 250 mm of insula- tion. If there is less than 150 mm, _it may be worth your effort and money to put more in. Complete Alarm Equipment Packages from DISCOUNT ALARM SUPPLY" 990 Marine Drive North Vancouver 987-4000 Ideally, exterior walls should be filled with insulation if the walls are wood frame with a cavity that is at least 89 mm thick. You may be able to check for the presence of insulation by looking behind an electrical outlet panel. However, if the cavity is only partially filled, it is usually not cost-effective to add more insula- tion. If the house has been re-sid- ed, determine if insulation was in- stalled at that time. Cavities in double brick walls should never be insulated; they are too small to make it worthwhile and insulation would interfere with the important drainage function of the spaces. Ask the realtor if you See Check Page 15 aan increase your b In today’s competitive business world if you stand still, you lose ground fast. J So Yellow Pages™ would like to introduce _ you to Talking Yellow Pages, a sound idea wie ee ~ that can give your business an edge. Talking Yellow Pages is a new telephone service that your customers can call for your latest information on special offers, sale prices and product or service details. All they have to do is dial 439-3311 Ee Es] You'd be surprised how little the cast! | Call today for a free estimate | FROPL CA Wa industries Ltd. 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