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"WEEKEND STAR" We humans need a lot of water in order to survive - and that can be tough on a house. In a typical house- hold, four people can pour up to 160 litres of water into the air each month just by living there. Add other moisture-producing activi- ties - such as long showers and leaky plumbing - and it's easy to see how a home can suffer from poor air quality and major structural problems. Health experts also tell us that fungi, mould and dust mites flourish in damp areas and can cause health problems, such as allergies and asthma. Having the right moisture level in your house means that you and your family will be healthier and you will Right moisture levels good for health and pocketbook save on energy and home repair costs. Simple tips on how to stop moisture overload: Watch for * frosted windows * musty-smelling base- ments * persistent mould growth Take control of moisture by starting with the basics: e fix leaky roofs and drainage and plumbing problems; * turn on the bathroom fan when using the tub or show- er; * turn on the kitchen range hood when cooking; * make sure all fans exhaust to the outside, not into the attic; * vent your clothes dryer to the outside; RA a PC ER W hon fimporta SITAR Ic Y (NAPOLEON) MUU = 38-4 51 * cover exposed earth in crawl spaces with heavy- duty plastic; * don't dry firewood in the house; and o keep humidifiers turned off unless household air becomes very dry (below 30 percent relative humidity); Health Canada recom- mends keeping household moisture levels between 35 and 55 percent relative humidity. Still too damp? If you've done all you can to eliminate or reduce sources of moisture in your home; you may need to increase its ventilation. Energy-effi- cient heat recovery ventila- tors (HRVs) improve home air quality, control moisture and save energy. En Ee San a a a a aT RE Programmable thermo- stats are a great way to squeeze maximum value 'out of your existing heat- ing system. They auto- matically change the tem- perature of your house to meet the demands of your household's sched- ule. If everyone is out during the day, you can set it to turn down the heat automatically after you've left, and turn it back up before you come home in the evening. At night, when you're asleep, the thermostat goes to work again, lower- ing the temperature until it's time to rise and shine. Programmable thermo- stats are inexpensive, easy to install and an excellent way to reduce your energy bill. Every degree saves two percent For every degree the pro- grammable automatic thermostat lowers your heating level, you'll save two percent on your heat- ing bill. It's a "set and for- get" solution that adds up to big savings. To make sure you get the most out of a programmable ther- mostat, follow these tips: e Look for models that offer at least two temper- ature setback and reset periods a day more if you have a complicated schedule. * Easy-to-use program- ming controls and easy- to-understand instruc- Sophisticated Home Shops In a Small Town Setting NOVEMBER A Christmas Tradition Something for everyone on your list & dozens of gift special 183 Queen Street Port Perry, Ontario (905) 985-8234 www.settlementhouse.com Monday So Tinarsday 4nd Satatday and Sunday 11:00am - 5:00pm Open until 9:00pm from December 1 Enter with any purchase from SHOPS for a chance to WIN A *250" SHOPPING SPREE! A winner each week until Christmas SETTLEMENT HOUSE |. tions are worth looking for. Make sure yo@ir device has a quick caf- cellation feature ¢ accommodate changes in your household's routing. e Hardware or buildi i8 supply stores have : good selection of + 3 grammable thermostats. Choose a thermostat that is right for your particulgr furnace and heating s tem (be sure to check the product literature). Ask about the thermostat's features and find out which models are easiest to install. Follow the man- ufacturer's instructions carefully during installa- tion, and you'll soon see a big difference in your heating bill. OPEN HOUSE §