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Page 16, Whltby Free Press, Wednesday, September 30,1992 A HOME D ESIGN ANJD IMP ROVEMENT FEATURE____________ Have heat- syster >With - this yeor's unpredictoble weather, the sofo money's botting 'winter will ho at your door sooner than oxpected. Experts at Ontorio's Fuels Safoty Branch say it is timo for tho annual check of your heating system ta ensuro it *is .operating safély and efficiently. "Have your heating system serviced soon by a home-heating contractor registered with our branch," says Michael Philipy diroctar of the branch, part of Ontario's consumer ninistry. An annual check of heating systeme is vital for home safety. The risk of* fire, explosion and carbon monoxido pdwsning excist with ail types of ful-burning heating systems,- if they aren't cared for proporly. In furnaces fuelod l,5 oil or natural gas, heat is produced by combining fuel with the oxygen in the air, then ignitingit mi the furnace's combustion c j:r. Whon your, heating system is running properly, t he exhaust fumes rise up the chimney and = resent no danger. But if your ace isndt burning cleanly, oré p U V I K~{~L~U - nspected the 'çhimney is blocked, large amounts of carbon. monoido -- a colourles, odorless gas that causes headaches, nausea and oven death --can escape mnto the house.' Because safety àe at stake, it's important ta deal -with a qualified home-heating contractor. "An'untrained service person who - doesn't do the work properly could put lives and property at risk," explains Philip. Many consumers deal with the sanie reputable controctor year afler, year. But if you need ta, find sonieone ta do'the job, keep these tips in mind. *.Find' out if- the work is covered by' a warronty or maintenance. plan before hiring a contracter. If it is, you may bo obliged ta hire a particular firmn, or .from, a liet of contractors rocommended by your fuel supplier or furnàce manufacturer. e Asic your fuel supplier, neighbours and fionds for rocommendations. e Obtain , three written estimates of the work ta be- done and who will do it. * Ask for references and check them. e Be wary of contractors who, show up at your door or cali you offering spo.cial deals. * Make sure the contractor je registored with 'the Fuels Sofoty Branch before you sign a contract. If you're not sure, cail and check with 'tho bronch at (416) 234-6030. If you need a new furnace, experts.at theo Ministry of Energy suggest. you consider a more energy-efficient model. Savings Of up to $300 per yoar have been reported for Mgh-efficiency gas furnacos. The energy ministiy also' omphaszes the importance of hiring a reputable contractor. because the heating systom, must ho woll-dosigned andi carefully installod ta, yield fuel-coet savings To receivo a copy of the free brochure 'Heine Heating Safety,' cali or write the Consumer Information Contre, Ministry of Consumer End Commercial Relations, 555 Yonge St., Toronto, Ont. M7A 2H6. Call (416) 326-8555 in the Toronto area, or collect from -area code 807 only. From other parts of the province cail toll-froo 1-800-268-1142. Special digital equipînent for the hard of.hearing is available at (416) 3M68566. For "a copy of the brochure 'Home eéating and Cooling,' that tallcs about the purchase, installation and operation coets of mm for safety's sake heating, air conditioning and domestic water systems, call the Communications Branch, If the interior of your house has started te feel more like the 'great outdoors' now that coolor autumn temporatures. have arrived, it may ho time for your home te take the ' draft test.'_i Energy experts agree that air lealcage is one of the largest sources of heat loss in a home.' To see how your bouse measures up, wait for a windy day and attach a piece of tissue papor or plastie, wrap to a piece of wiro or a coat hanger. Pass it in front of areas where you think there may ho drafts. (You can also do this with a feather.) If the. papor or feather begins ta flutter, your suspicions are confirmred and you'1l probably want te stop up the gaps before the onslaught of winter.- 1 *Weatherstripping and caulkcing are two effective and inoxpensive methods of draftproofing that you con apply yourself. Application of these products is relatively simple, providing you follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. SIni addition te malçing your home more comfortable, draft- prooflng can take'a bite out of your heating coste. Weatherstripping Weatherstripping is used to stop up gaps between windows or doors and their * frames. Good quality weatheretripping is easy te instail and should withstand Ministiy of Energy at 327-12 98 or 327-1234 in the Toronta ýarea or toll-free 1-800-ENERGYL. years of wear and teor. When proporly applied, it shouldnet itreewith the oporation, of windows or doors. Several ýdifferent. types of weatherstripping '.are -available, including feit, rubber, foamý (open or closed coul), tubularstrippmng, tape, -polyester or polypropylene pile,j spring ,metal strips, spring viny or V-shaped strips and Mgnetic systems. Ail have differing levels of durability and performance. Foît and foazn for instance, have lower durability and do not perform as efl'octively as most other materials. The type of weatherstripping you'll want te use wilI depenid on the type of doors and windows you have. Before making your choice, examinethe size of the gaps you're going ta, seal. You'll want'something that is going ta last, is easy'.ta instali and is oostheticaily appoaling. .Some types of weatherstripping blond in qite naturally when installe&, others -. such as tubular stripping - can ho quite visible. WhIile appearance is an important consideration, malce sure you choose weatherstripping that will suit your needs and perform well.- If you pla 'ni'ta apply weatherstripping around your doors, you may want ta install a SER PAGE 17 i SEIANNAL -RAMEAL 15 e ffpe. . .rals dllce s SEPT. 26 -OCT. 10 S"CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING" By Carole Black 668-1164 DEALER MEMBER 0F BRADFORD EXCHANGE From Our Hands... To Your Heart The 4th Annual Fali Country Collectables & Craft Show and Sale OCTOBER3 & 4f,1992 Saturday 10 arn- 5 -pm- Sunday 10 arn - 4 p*m )BOWMANVILLE ýRECREATION COMPLEX HIWY #2 (KING ST.) & HWY #57 ADMISSION:S2.00 SENIORS:$100 HI4ltREN UNDER 12: FREE 416) 9g85-116 (416) 985-572 SNACK BAR DOR PRIZES w7w