18 - Friday. October 19, 1990 - North Shore News DO YOU, after making such im- provements as insufadon, caulk: ing, weatherstrippine., of installing new windows, find sou now have a condensation problem? Ho the answer if ‘tees. vau'tve fust experienced the “House as a System’ concept, whteb recognizes that cach tieuse is a dynamic and interactive exechanee of heat, air ond moisture flows. These flows need to be kept in proper balance. particularly when making home improvements that don't adversely affect key ele- menis of the indoor environment, such as humidity, ventilation levels and heating efficiency. LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP When you plan on renovating your home, use the ‘House as a System" approach: it’s really a question of looking before you Anticipate how changes to sour house will affect the exchange ef heat, air and moisture — factors that are continually occurring be- tween your house and the out- doors. How that exchange occtrs de- pends on three components: the building envelope or shell; the mechanical systems for heating, cooling and ventilation; and your lifestyte. Changes in any one or all three of these components will have impacts on the overall balance of heat, air and moisture flows achieved in the system. This is best illustrated by some examples which cover common changes in the building envelope, mechanical systems and lifestyle. All of these examples show how changes in your house influence THE NEW UNIT FEATURES: e Larger Viewing Glass ® Front & Back Burner e Automatic Fan ® Thermostat Available HOME & GARDEN ihotsture fhaws. and PoP utken be prope Somipasts on ah thay heat, au how car Ivy matinee cf fNows. BUILDING ENVELOPE CAN CHANGE Your home's building enselope consists Of all tho exterior surtitces that separate sour indoor en- vironment from the ouside. Thess: include exterior wally and ceilings, windows and doers, and the basement. The Now of heat. air and moisture through the building envelope must be properly con- trolled to ensure comfort, energy efficiency and structural sound- ness. Different strateme,s are needed to controf each flow. fie sulation. for example, controls heat flaws: draftproofing and air barriers ce of odir flows: and vapor barrens vontrol miersrure flows. air ADD INSULATION Adding insulagon to your house will reduce heat Joss, but it will also make the outside part of the building envelope colder. This in- creases the potential for condensa- tion problems when moisture pro- duced indoors (e.g. by cooking, bathing, clothes washing. respira- tion} moves outward through the building envelope. This means the house's struc- ture must be protected by an ef- fective air-vapor barrier which completely blocks water-vapor and moisture-laden air. A continuous sheet of 6-mil polyethylene pro- vides an excellent air-vapor bar- rier. The barrier can also be S a system Think of heat, air and moisture flows before renovating home ed bs shiny abl the ain | Dopuunts at cracks and: pene envehape. is sesorith Gout. tions inthe build Vou san abe ae: oo ga hnpermeable fuusb, such as fow permeability lates of ole bused parni, to walls ama ceudsnes INCREASE VENEFIEATION Caulking wnd weatherstripping cracks and pelietrations in building envelope will ore Mr tue voce a sour oF t dian hermes. to make enuilation mas quatity. problems. air oor lingering Inadequate produce air Stale or stuits aloe Sempron oss after dome you mgs sentagan 0s bathroom fass. Siake su pollution, such ay poamts and solvents, ine Hesealed) and stored in a ventilited areca so tivat build-up of fumes will nor be a problem after air leakage control wark has been done. odors these rouse weath Wa THY sourees On an tO ge pel eed undoes. W home oexhe symptoms, vou within a moisture comrol pragram. S: by turning off humidifiers, mak- ing sure vour dryer is vented out- foots Cro doors}, basement drsing luthes in- cnsucing that your foundauion is properly Moisture contra} pro- gram abo oimvolves ensuring ade- quate osentdanon by installing hutshen of bathroom fans or. if Hecessark. oa lisa recovery ven- vlator, MECHANICAL SYSTEMS HAVE IMPACT Mechanical systems include all ipment and ap- your itidoor in these ior impacts on heat. air and moisture flows, Por cxaniple. adding a clothes drser that is not vented directly to the outdoors will increase indoor wumidity and the potential for moisture problems. Watch for the symptoms af excessive humidity described above. pe Royal City Antiques and Fine Furnishings Ltd. et Presents CapiLano MALL _ Until Sunday, October 21st Tremendous selection of antique as well as bronze sculprures and works of art and reproduction furnishings. Family size table extends to 84”. Fully carved skirt. 24" butterfly leaf stores inside table. Reg. $1395. $69 5 SALE Delivery extra. Quantity limited. This beautiful dining table features a sunburst oak pattern on cop, curved skirt, resting on Lions Paw center, solid oak pedestal, | $e 48" round. Extends to 72 Ze with leaf. Reg. $795. SPINDLE BACK Solid hardwood Windsor, Hoop back side chair 549... Finish nay vary. e 3 Colors to choose from Oct. 9th to 22nd “90. SOLID OAK CHAIR Arrow Back $99 Reg. $189 SALE PRICE Joe's Fireplace Products Lid. 394 Main St. N.Van. 984-4059 251-7654 INSTA-FLAME The Leader in Gas Fireplace Technology Head Office ‘VANCOUVER - > 4-275 East 8th Ave, _ sR pyal City Antiques | See Vive | DISCOVER BAMEE 2,4 FINE FURNISHINGS LTD. '