Real Show Placo Aug 23 1978 Energy Saving and Construction If yours one of tin homes being built this summer take this ideal lime to way you your tan make tin flit to I ntrjjj mil the As siicialion of Home there are sevcnl intrpv options which will pay for themsilves over time utility bill hirst consider thi iltsign of the house A square or rce Lingular floor plan is usually more than and I shaped homes This is due to a lower ratio of outside wall area to floor area Also keep in mind that reducing the ceiling height from eight feet to seven feet six Inches also saves heating and cooling energy There Is six per cent less volume to heal and cool If the building lot permits recommend the contractor that the house be situated with the roof ridge running east west rather than north to south Where feasible have the attached garages or carports where they can help shield the house on the north northeast or northwest in cold climates on the east or west side in hot climates Deciduous trees the kind that lose their leaves provide shading to the south side of the house but do not cut down sunlight in the winter WINDOWS Consider Ihe heat from the sun when plan window locations South facing windows provide solar heating in he winter The proper roof overhang on south faclna glass will reduce neat gain in lie summer without affecting winter heat gain The glass areas on the other walls of the house the north side should lie minimized Have double pant glass Installed through out the house and in sullied draptb Ask the con traitor for windows hit in hi opined ordir natural or finfonul until in ist i Ask ihi to instil walls roof to the specif rteommmdid energy guidelines have been adopted by members of the Home Iluildcrs Association which make it for the home owner and builder to deter mine the proper amount of insulation an spokesman told tit to Hive the floors insulated too those over crawl spaces basements and garages It Is also a good idea insulate the water heater and hot water pipes The water heater is usually ihe second largest energy user in ihe home II should be located as near as possible to the areas of major use to minimize heat loss through the pipes Make sure that the temperature Is set as low as practical HO MO degrees depending on if there is a dishwasher The refrigerator should be located in the coolest part of the kitchen away from the range and men Have high energy efficient appliances installed The federal appliance labelling program makes it possible to determine which models or refrigerators ranges ovens dishwashers and water heaters use Ihe least amount of energy Consider installation of a heat pump If electric heat Is preferred The initial cost Is somewhat than means of heating and cooling but the heat pump offer an average of eent savings on utility hills Ik it pumps ire most when used round for both and in areas where In the Is ii Ask the i in result suh- emrf savings bill is usually if i he pump is luoresccnt lighling be four times as efficient as standard bulbs so he contractor in stall wherever ippro- Have water fatieels shout heads filled with w iter flow restnetors Hiiro- art sever il other steps in be lick tin if inn- heal Inch during tin i On summer be minimized by proper si weallur stripping w ill sheithlng These and olhir mi should lie in dotal with builder Improve soil with compost The cheapest and best way to make rich productive soil is with your own compost according to horticultural experts Compost the experts point out Is a form of humus and humus should be worked Into all lower and vegetable beds every Tall Not only docs this decayed organic matter add food the soil it helps the soil retain water and air and helps to break up heavy clay soils To make compost a container is required which can be either one available commercially or a doit yourself project Size will depend on the amount of vegetable refuse you have but generally a container four feet by four feet and four feet deep is sufficient It can be made from cinder blocks or scrap wood Put In any vegetable refuse you have such as tree leaves tea leaves hedge clippings grass cuttings potato peel etc Tramp It down until you have a compacted layer six inches deep Soak It thoroughly with the garden hose and cover with a one inch layer of garden soil which has been mixed with two cups of CIL Grow All Sprinkle four cups of Lime stone over the soil Continue building with six Inch layers of vegetable refuse as it becomes available covering each layer with soil and limestone Keep the compost pile covered with a sheet of heavy black plastic Each month fork the contents and water well Within four to five months your compost pile will Into rich brown crumbly earth Spread a two Inch layer on flower and vegetable beds In the fall and mix it into the soil to a depth of six Inches Any compost you have left over from the fall treatment should be worked into the beds in I REAL ESTATE ACTON THE PRICE IS RIGHT ACRES HOME Bedrooms 2 storey home ground level family room fireplace several bathrooms Pond and steel barn SOLAR HOME FEATURES 2 Acres treed secluded 20 insula tion Come and see this different home Ready for occupancy soon FOR RENT 2 Bedroom apartment in Acton Heated monthly Johnson MILL ST E ACTON 8532086 A MUST TO SEE roomv brick oroy liming room eat In drivo and fully foncod yard Jim roducod COUNTRV BARGAIN Th 3 IMMACULATE Sol on in in Like In ground family room baths 3 tied large kiichon Iving room or