‘Insulate! R28 is the new recommended standard for caine: That's 8"
of fibreglass — if you have less, you should consider upgrading: You
can have extra blown in at minimal cost. Extra sidewall insulation Is’
good but expensive to install. It may take much longer to recover in-
stallation costs — look at your attic. fist ‘

If you don’t have twin seal or » double Ciel install somes which is
also a good idea for doors.

Sigg cold air leaks with caulking and Westhenehpea: Make a plug for
the fireplace that's not in use (when you'use a fireplace, make sure it
has enough air for combustion): Most fireplaces exhaust more heated
air up the chimney than is replaced by the heat from the fire.

Use drapes to full advantage — open them to let sunshine (and heat) in,
close them when the window is in shadow. Heavy lined drapes are ex-
cellent insulation!

Watch out for excessive escape of heated air through exhaust fans in
kitchens or bathrooms.

Reduce your thermostat setting both day and night. Corisider installing

_ ahumnidifier if you don’t have one, It allows you to be comfortable at
lower temperature levels.

Check your household’s hot water. consumption. Showers take less
water than baths. Consider a restriction device in your shower head.
Make sure clothes and dishwashing machines are used with a full or.
_ nearly full load. Above all, fix any dripping hot water taps. Insulate all
long hot water lines or any pipes that run through unheated areas. —

Ensure your heating system is éperating at top efficiency. Replace filters :

at the start of each new heating season and vactium monthly. Make +...
:“ sure hot air registers and cold airreturns are not obstructed or covered.

Oil fan motor twice every heating season (if it is not a sealed unit): Also

check fan belt tension periodically.

Insulate all hot or cold duct work that is located in unheated areas, such
- as crawl spaces or attics. Tape all joints in both hot and cold ducts with
duct tape available at any hardware store.

Don’t heat unused areas. Shut off allo or “most of the heat and close the
= door. Send the heat to wpere you really need it:

nergy,
‘iotivating homeowners to ‘con:

sider’ investing In. energy conserva-

“ition devices, renovations to existing

©. homes-andsuper insulation ‘in:new.,;

homes. An individual considering
‘an: investment:-relative to energy.

ve points:
‘Is the energy saving’
ears seller realistic and achievable
in your particular application?
What -dollar: ‘savings (will! you
recelve: as.a result of the ene!
savings claimed by, the seller?

. How much energy are you cur: ~
rently “using. for. heating’ and

what do you actually pay for this
energy?’ <=

the answers to these questions, you

wise decision;

will be in a better Position to make a

1; INSULATIO!
Itus.a‘ relatively’ simple job io

add = Insulation to. ATTIC: and

CRAWL: SPACES. If your home
was built before’ 1971, the Federal
Government has a grant program

* called: CHIP, to help defray“ both

material-and labour costs.. If, atthe

.same time, you took steps to. make

your home tighter by properly seal-
ing. windows and: doors, installing
storm: windows. or plastic, you will

have gone a long way to:reducing:
energy costs with a relatively short

pay. beck Period

2. PROGRAMMABLE

THERMOSTATS
;Programmable thermostats ‘on

..the: market today offer: an (annual. .

savings of:10-15% ‘and cost in.the

: neighbourhood * of $90-$140.-de- -

pending on the options offered
These: = computerized * ‘ther-
mostats can’ be ‘wired’ in place: of
your ‘existing: thermostat and -pro-
grammed to. shut’ your,“‘furnace

If you can satisfy yourself as to

“| conservation should: ‘be aware of ss

Coiiventional

ing
fireplaces are delightful to sit by.on®.

a cold winter evening, but waste far)
more®: energy - than’ they:..’sav

Thousands ‘of: cubic feet of: air‘are’-
\d th

“air will continue to vent ‘through the
? chimney until the ‘fire is totally ‘cold:
“and the flue damiper: closed tight:
hi

side the house Las in:many cases,’
lose '\ more;;: heat throiigh * ; the
chimney than they produce. Even if:
wood is free, you must consider ‘the
capital cost of wood bu:

n,twin: seal. windows, ‘pre

the’ money. simply. invested in: the
bank would ‘offset saving: