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ELECTRIC NOTES
DRAFTY DOORS REQUIRE THOUGHTFUL REPLACEMENT
Dear James: We have an old sliding patio door. It is chilly near it during winter and hot during summer. It is often drafty, and outdoor noise comes through. What type of door should I replace it with? —Ron A.
Dear Ron: The discomfort and inefficiency problems you describe are typical with an old sliding glass patio door. In a home of average efficiency, that one old sliding glass door can waste more energy year-round than all the walls in that room combined.
The discomfort you feel when sitting near the door results in a double energy loss. First, the old door wastes energy. Second, this inefficiency often makes you set the central thermostat higher during winter or lower during summer just to stay comfortable.
There have been tremendous improvements in energy efficiency, security and styling of replacement patio doors. Some of the new high-tech glass in these doors has an insulation value as high as R-10 in the center of the glass. It has special coatings on the glass surface that reduce heat transfer and block the majority of the sun’s fading ultraviolet rays. In addition, resilient weatherstripping greatly reduces air leakage, and multipane glass—with a heavy, inert gas between the panes—blocks sound transmission.
Any type of efficient door can be installed in place of the old patio door, but a sliding door or French doors are most common. The costs are not significantly different, and the installation time is similar.
Hinged French doors are more stylish and are particularly popular today. Hinged doors close on a compression weatherstripping seal, often making French doors more airtight. Sliding doors rely on noncompression types of weatherstripping. Even though it is not as airtight as a compression seal, it will be better than your existing patio door.
French doors are easy to swing open, but they require a fairly large open area for swinging clearance. A sliding door requires no open clearance area. Sliding doors also provide a more unobstructed view of the outdoors.
The best type of glass for your home depends upon factors such as climate and orientation to the sun. In general, the minimum efficiency level you should select is double-pane glass with a low-emissivity coating and argon gas between the panes.
The frame material is also important for efficiency and smooth operation. A pultruded fiberglass frame is very strong and stable. Vinyl door frames reinforced with internal steel supports are good insulators, maintenance-free and reasonably priced. Solid wood frames are attractive and strong, but they require regular maintenance. Choosing one with exterior vinyl or aluminum cladding minimizes this maintenance.
© 2008 James Dulley
LABOR SAFELY THIS LABOR DAY
For many people, Labor Day is a day of rest. For others, it’s a day to catch up on outdoor home projects before the season changes. Faulty extension cords are often a source of injury when working outside, as are metal ladders coming into contact with an electrical source. By following the tips below, you can “labor” safely on Labor Day.
Extension Cords and Power Tools
• Check power tools and electrical cords to make sure they are in good condition.
• Extension cords should be designed for outdoor use. Those are thicker, more durable and have features for preventing moisture damage.
• Use three-wire extension cords with three-pronged plugs. Never remove the third prong from a plug.
• Look for the amperage rating of the extension cord to make sure it will meet the power demand of the tool.
• Do not plug one extension cord into another. Use the proper length for the job.
• Never leave an extension cord plugged into an outlet when it is not in use. Unplug the cord when you are finished.
Ladders
• Use fiberglass or wooden ladders when working around electrical sources. Metal ladders conduct electricity and can deliver a fatal shock.
• Lower the ladder when carrying it or moving it.
• Never work on a windy day, as a gust of wind could shift the ladder into an overhead wire.
• When placing the ladder on the ground, make sure the distance to the nearest overhead wire is at least twice the length of the ladder.
• Make sure the ladder is placed on solid, level ground to prevent sliding.
—Christine Grammes
REMODELING YOUR KITCHEN?
Be Sure To Keep Safety in Mind
Flooring, countertops, sinks and stoves come to mind first when it’s time to remodel your kitchen. But lighting and electricity are just as important.
Keep safety in mind when designing or remodeling your family’s favorite room. Some tips:
• Proper lighting can prevent injuries in the kitchen. Don’t stop with overhead lights; add task lighting to your favorite work spaces.
• Keep electrical switches, plugs and lighting fixtures far away from water sources. Install them in areas where you are unlikely to touch them with wet hands.
• Add additional outlets if needed to avoid use of extension cords.
• Protect every electrical receptacle with a ground-fault circuit interrupter, which will shut off the electric current if it senses a power surge or if moisture is present.
• Keep a fire extinguisher near a room exit and away from cooking equipment.
• Choose faucets with anti-scald devices to prevent burning, or lower your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees. Heating water to a lower, safer temperature also saves energy.
• Install smoke alarms.
• The cooktop or cooking surfaces should not be located near windows. Curtains and other window coverings could easily catch fire from a grease splatter.
NO-COST WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY
• Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers, etc.
• Check the air-conditioner filter each month and clean or replace it as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through your heating and cooling systems, increasing your energy bill and shortening the equipment’s life.
• During hot months, keep window coverings closed on the south, east and west windows. In winter, let the sun in.
• Glass fireplace doors help stop heat from being lost up the chimney. Also, close the fireplace damper when not burning a fire.
• Activate “sleep” features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use for a while.
• Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, and set your thermostat to the lowest possible comfortable setting in winter and the highest comfortable setting in summer.
• On winter nights, put an extra blanket on the bed and turn down your thermostat more.
• In summer, use fans whenever possible to reduce AC usage. Inexpensive fans allow you to raise the thermostat temperature and still remain comfortable.
• To save hot water, take five-minute showers instead of baths.
FALL IS TIME TO PLANT FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Well-planned landscaping can purify the air, add beauty and value to your home, block out noise and, most importantly, save you money on your energy bill.
By shading your home from the sun, trees and shrubs can keep your home cooler in the summer and protect it from harsh weather in the winter. In fact, landscaping for energy efficiency could reduce your air-conditioning costs by as much as 15 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The best time to plant trees is in the fall, giving roots enough time to take hold before the winter cold.
When deciding which trees to plant, consider what purpose you most want them to serve. Deciduous trees will block sun in the summer but allow the winter sun to shine through. Evergreens, though, will offer protection from harsh weather year-round.
Plant trees on the east, south and west sides of the home for optimal shade from summer sun.
Plan for the mature size of the tree when choosing the tree variety. Tall-growing trees may eventually end up shading too much of the yard. They also pose a hazard if they grow into power lines. No matter the size of the tree, always check with your electric cooperative to identify any underground power lines before digging to plant it.
Trees aren’t the only plants that offer energy savings. Planting shrubs, bushes and vines close to the home creates a layer of insulation to lock in heat or provides summer shade.
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