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HOME AND Wednesday Aprils IB8T Dont forget the four areas of energy efficiency when buying a home Buying a home is the largest and most important investment decision moil Sic ever make And one of Ihc most in factors in that decision today is the energy efficiency of the house Why Because by not considering the energy of a home a prospec live homeowner could make a cosily mi lake Mortgages offering a low interest rale are no bargain cooling and heating bills chew up the When looking homes the Certain Teed Home recommends pro spective home buyers examine four basic areas of energy efficient construction be fore making a decision These are I Insulation caulking and weathers tripping storm windows and doors or double or triple pane windows an efficient cooling arid heating sys and efficient lighting and limitation caulking Attic insulation is the most important thing to look for when evaluating the energy efficiency of a home Check the attic including the attic door If it has or less of fiber glass insulation it should be upgraded lo the recommended level of insulation for that geographic area After anus side walls are the second hand on the wall mosl important to check for insula If it feels hoi in summer it may turn Since you can I sec inside to deter need more Insulation Properly insulated mine how much insulation ousts prist walls will not only help save but An Energy Efficient Home Has improve comfort your home Next check for adequate levels of in under floors and Finally make sure all window and door facings corner trim and siding joints and roof cave joints are caulked and weal hers tripped to avoid air loss Windowsdoors Standard windows and doors can lose approximately five to eight limes more energy than an insulated wall area of Ihe same size Therefore it important to check for storm windows and doors can help reduce energy loss by as much as percent If the home have storm win look for double or triple glass It offers double and triple the iher efficiency of a regular window Central healing and cooling systems The efficiency of a central heating and system will have a major impact on annual energy bills Check the efficiency rating on the fur and boiler It should an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of percent or higher If you re looking at an older furnace check to sec if it runs smoothly or quietly Look for oil stains and signs of wear Ask how old it The overage furnace can be expected to last about years If the home has a heal pump check its Healing Seasonal Performance Factor rating A rating of more than is excellent A Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio SEER rating measures a heal pump cooling efficiency The higher ihe SEER the more it a at cooling A SEER rating over is excel lent Lighting and appliances The lighting and appliance in a home to a lesser degree also affect the amount of energy consumed so look for efficient ones A good way to evaluate efficiency of major appliances Is look for the bright yellow and black label to help you determine estimated an operating costs Look also for fixtures For more tips on buying an energy efficient home write to the CcrtainTced Home Institute Box 860 Valley Forge for a copy of Ihe En Checklist For Home Buying And Selling Summer fun begins in the spring with sparkling clear pool water A range of options Creating dream kitchen step by step free of charge about inches below the surface of ihc pool away from the Open the container and collect about a quart of water dealers lest water and prescribe just the chemicals The plan is easy to read and easy to follow The rrsult is safe sparkling water lo enjoy all summer long Sprin means ihe return of warm weather and swimming the backyard pool As pool owners get their pools ready for another season of Tun they find when they mil back the winter cover may be what they want to sec Dull stagnant lifeless water Lack of use during the winter may mean leaves or debris in the pool bottom Dark mineral stains and streaks may show on pool Sides and at water line What may be worse yet is algae not noticeable in its early but just waning to spread as the water gets war Beating Ihc winter pool blues Bui there is a solution to the winter ic pool blues has Guard Authorized Dealer for a complete water analysis and personal prescription for ur round care Then pool Her is computer ana lycd free ol The perMtiil fib Guard computerized wuicr system outlines I schedule of much and winch chemicals need In he added get water into proper and ri id for summer Tun has fomiul lied e solve pool probliins and keep water clean ind invilmj all Pool owners lelpful information tot it ilkalmit pll and calcium hardness of water into the proper The computer also performs many tests that home kits can I met sure like total dissolved solids copperiron content and stabilizer level all important for the health and enjoyment of the pool Customized Since every pool has different needs helps owners determine proper amounts of chlorine for bacterial control and algicides for algae control The customized plan also spells out the possible need for slam controllers scale prevention agents or water li all begins with thai water sample After cover has been removed fill the pool and circulate the water Tor at TO ANALYZE YOUR least hours Then immerse a clean by dean about 18 below the of closed plastic sample bag avail a your pool and away from your BioGuard Authorised We from BioGuard Authorized dealers Dealer wbd Will Mar while you Kitchens have always been ihe heart of the home But with the advent of iwo career couples sharing the cooking and the popularity or informal entertaining this room is getting even more attention Improving your kitchen one remodel project at a time can often be best most economical way make a ference Even minor changes can make a vast improvement and be the first steps in the of your dream kitchen In smaller kitchens a common tive in remodeling is to create more space The average modern kitchen holds more equipment and appliances than ever before with everything from food processors to microwave ovens fast be coming standard items A number of options allow you lo free more space in ihe kitchen without knocking down any walls One possibil is lo mount smaller appliances be cabinets to create more Another practical space saving im is to install a new functional appliance A cooking center a range with a second smaller oven on lop offers maximum cooking capacity in a minimum of floor space GEORGETOWN LAWN GARDEN EQUIPMENT 5 Armstrong Ave Georgetown