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During the balmy days of spring and summer, the last thing anyone wants to be reminded of is the inevitable return of winter, the other fact of life in the northern hemisphere. Many Canadians develop a mental block to snow, sleet and howling northern winds as soon as the last downâ€"filled jacket is stored in spring. However, if you are shopping for a new house this spring, keep the memory alive, at least until you are satisfied that the dwelling is energy efficient. There are five components that work together to create the energy efficient home: insulation, airtight construction, controlled ventilation, passive solar heating and an efficient heating system. When these factors interact properly, fuel consumption can be up to 80 per cent less than the conventional house. The wellâ€" designed, wellâ€"built energy efficient house is also draftâ€"free with even temperature distribution. It will be cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, quieter, less dusty, and maintain a comfortable level of humidity. Although there are no guarantees of energy performance, Canada‘s building industry is responding to the energy needs of homeowners. You can ensure a wellâ€"built, energy efficient home by asking the builder or seller about the five factors of energy efficiency. First determine the insulation levels recommended for different areas of the house by local building codes (these will vary according to regional climate). The value of the various types of insulation are assigned RSI units which measure the resistance to heat loss. Compare recommended levels with those actually used. Take a good look at the insulation to see if it is properly installed. Check that it is evenly distributed throughout the house, but kept clear of chimneys, ventilation features, electrical wiring and plumbing penetrations. If buying a home with a cathedral ceiling or flat roof make sure there is enough room for insulation and ventilation between the insulation and the roof deck (normally 300â€"500 mm). The energy efficient building will have higher levels of insulation in exterior walls than its conventional counterpart. Good construction means the avoidance of thermal bridges, that is, areas where heat can bypass insulation and escape through building materials. Studs, floor joists and masonry walls can act as energyâ€"conducting thermal bridges. In the basement, walls should be insulated right to the floor and foundation soil wellâ€"drained to reduce heat loss and prevent frost heave. Ideally, insulation is applied to the outside as it keeps the wall warm and frost free. Check that the aboveâ€" ground wall area has been covered by a protective material. Floors over unheated garages or crawl spaces should also be insulated. Many builders insulate the basement slab to increase the amount of comfortable living space available in the house. The energy efficient house does not rely on insulation alone. Airtight construction â€" keeping warm air in and cold air out â€" is also a major factor to consider. | In extremely cold or damp climates, airtight construction is Choosing an energyâ€" efficient home can build up, often causing of the windows facing south, to take structural damage to the house. advantage of solar heat in the Normally, a depressurization test _ winter. However, more than 7 per is performed on a house to determine _ cent southern glass exposure could how "tight" it is and where leaks result in overheating if no shade is are located. Before you buy, ask the provided by an overhang . builder if this test was carried out Check for glazing of vertical and what the results were. windows for the best use of the sun. Airtightness is achieved when a sound airâ€"vapour barrier is Q\Q constructed throughout the house. (\6%\5.\“ Sometimes described as a large ‘}\Q’,b\ sealed bag, this barrier stops interior x and exterior air from passing through the walls and stops water vapour from entering the wall from ‘ inside the house. A word of caution: once construction is completed, it is impossible to tell if the airâ€"vapour barrier has been installed correctly without tearing apart finished walls. Because of this, it is vital the buyer check depressurization test results. vital because frost and condensation An energy efficient house has most In an airtight house, a controlled ventilation system is necessary to provide a constant supply of fresh air and remove excess humidity, odours and indoor contaminants. Water vapour produced by dayâ€"toâ€" day activities such as showering, cooking â€" and even breathing â€" cannot escape an airtight house. If humidity levels are high, condensation forms on the coldest surface available, resulting in the growth of mildew and wood rot. Ventilation will guard against a "stuffy" home and clear out household smells. More important, a properly installed system prevents the build up of chemical contaminants that could be hazardous to the occupants of the house. During spring and summer, ventilation is provided simply by opening the window. Each room should have a window that can be opened to ensure crossâ€"ventilation and fire safety. During the winter, open windows are an energy waste. Exhaust fans used in combination with a freshâ€"air supply system in the airtight house provide a good flow of air. Often devices are installed to recover heat from warm air exhausted to the exterior. Windows need not be the energy drain they often are in most houses. If properly placed, they can be a free source of solar energy. If not, they can turn your home into a sauna during the heat of the summer. wi;a;);s fm ;.h:b:at useof the sun. 12 mm) layer of air between each C P OUR LOWEST PRIGE EVER ON OUR 2 BEST SELLERS ‘“""W _A ‘BLINDS S AtT s Sized to fit most windows â€" Heights can easily be shortened Readyâ€"toâ€"Install «e White or Ivory PVC VENETIANS ACCOMMODATE INSIDE MOUNTS IF SO DESIAED WIDTH * 30. 32¢, 34 36 or 38 40. 42. 44 46‘ or 48~ SHOWROOMS IN KITCHENER. GUELPH CAMBRIDGE. HAMILTON. 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In winter, vertical windows let the sun, which is lower, into the house. Most windows in Canada have double or triple glazing, which means there is more than one layer of glass with an adequate (at least That‘s where we‘ll start to bring your ideas to life. Let our 30 years experience assist you in creating your WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY MAY 11, 1988 â€" PAGE B7 he beginning HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TO 64 * WIDTHS 22¢ 24" 26" OR 28 YOUR CHOICE not in stock. we will gladly issue rainchecks P working properly, the heating system in an energyâ€"efficent house will be smaller than the norm. In theory, it is possible to build a house so energy efficient it requires heat only from the sun, occupants and appliances. If the first four components are