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HE -------------------------------- A ---- "A Famlly Tradition for 126 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, September 15, 1992 - 23 Low-E windows lower heating costs Windows are a major source of energy loss in many Canadi- an homes but that may soon change as a new heat-reflecting technology becomes more wide- ly used by the home building The first step in energy efficiency Installing insulation can be a big first step in making a house more energy efficient while cutting significant amounts from energy bills year-round. With 40 per cent of a home's heat loss originating in the 'basement and attic, these two 'rooms are great places to start winterizing your home. ¥:; Before beginning an insula- tion project, think of your home "as a "system." There are three "parts to the system: the "enve- lope" or shell of the house, the mechanical systems for heat- ing, cooling and ventilation, and your family's lifestyle. For example, do you leave a lot of windows open year-round? Do you use a great deal of hot wa- ter, or alot of appliances? Insulation changes the heat flow of the house and can also have an immediate effect on the rest of the "system." Adding in- sulation without considering this effect may cause moisture build-up on windows or inade- quate ventilation. The choice of insulating ma- terials will depend a great deal on how they are to be used. And to obtain the best results it's very important to install it ac- cording to the manufacturer's directions. There are four main types of insulation: * Batt or blanket insulation - relatively easy to install in ac- cessible spaces like wall cavi- ties and some attics. * Loose fill insulation - good for filing irregular or in- accessible spaces. * Rigid or semi-rigid boards - effective for roofs, ceilings and interior and exterior walls. * Foamed-in-place insulation - sprayed or poured using a spray-gun and is used mostly for insulating irregular surfac- es. Before starting any insula- tion project you should caulk and weatherstrip, and also in- stall an air-vapor barrier of plastic sheeting on the "warm" side to avoid moisture prob- lems. Anticipating how insulation will affect the way heat, air and moisture flow in your home will help you maximize savings on your energy bill while creating a more pleasant indoor environ- _ ment. and renovations industry. The new technology, called low-E (emissivity) glass, in- volves applying an invisible, heat-reflective coating on win- dow glazing. The special coat- ing is applied by the manufac- turer and reflects up to 90 per cent of the long-wave heat radi- ation, a major source of heat loss for windows, back into the house. For homeowners, that means a window with high thermal performance and virtually no condensation. In fact, a double- glazed low-E window has basi- cally the same energy perfor- mance as a standard triple- glazed unit. Some manufactur- ers even offer the special coat- ing on a thin film of plastic which is then placed between two sheets of glazing, essential- ly providing a triple-glazed unit with low-E. Additional Benefits In addition to lowering heat- ing costs, low-E windows great- ly improve the comfort of a home. Condensation is less like- ly to occur because the surtace temperature of the interior glass stays closer to that of the room. This is an important fea- ture for pool and spa enclosures and other high humidity envi- ronments where window fog- ging can hmt visibility and damage frames. Low-E glass lets in almost as much light as ordinary double- pane glass. At the same time, it blocks a large portion of incom- ing ultraviolet rays that fade drapes, fabrics, carpets and oth- er furnishings. In the summer, low-E glass can reduce home cooling costs by reflecting radiant heat from the sun. However, to maximize the savings on your air condi- tioning bills, windows should still be shaded with awnings, shutters or landscaping. Different Types Of Low-E Low-E glass is manufactured with either a soft or hard coat- ing. A soft coat is applied by spraying the surface of the glass with tin oxide at the factory. The advantages of energy efficient windows are easy to see. cetera tabla lat ul AV Tet al BABAR to The coating is extremely fragile and the glass must be handled carefully until itis installed in a factory-sealed unit. Hard low-E coating is applied to the molten glass as it comes out of the furnace, making it part of the glass itself. This coating offers a very durable surface and can be handled like regular glass. Hard coat low-E glass is not yet as heat- reflective as the soft coat varie- ty but manufacturers are con- stantly improving their process. Some manufacturers offer low-E windows with the space between the panes filled with an inert gas, usually argon. This gas helps to reduce ther- mal convection and conduction, two other sources of heat loss. Buying Low-E Glass Complete low-E windows or individual glazing units can be purchased in standard sizes from your local window suppli- er. Low-E units can be custom- manufactured to fit distinctive or odd-sized window openings. Depending on the manufactur- BE A POWER SAVER" er, costs may be up to 25 per cent higher than for convention- al double-glazed windows. You can compare the energy performance of different types of low-E windows by asking the supplier for each unit's low-E rating. You should also ask about the guarantee on the glass; a low-E coating can dete- riorate if the airtight seal separ- ating the sheets of glass is brok- en. Coverage extends from five years to a 20-year promise of window replacement because of seal failure. While low-E coatings are a re- cent innovation, the concept is quickly catching on. Industry experts predict that within five years, 50 per cent of the residen- tial market will consist of low-E windows. They also expect the new technology to completely replace conventional glass in the renovation market. If you have electric space heating, ask Ontario Hydro about their Power Saver Incen- tive Program. You may qualify for a rebate. If you're looking to improve your home's appearance, increase its comfort and be a power saver, choose energy efficient windows. Available 1n all the popular styles, they reduce heat loss, save energy and help improve the comfort of your home. And if your home is electrically heated, you could be eligible for up to hundreds of dollars in rebates from Ontario Hydro. To learn more about energy efficient windows and Ontario Hydro's "Power Saver Window Program", call or drop by today [Lakeshore Arca/Bowmanville 1-800-263-8028 Cathy Olmstead