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"A Family Tradition for 126 Years" a [ps = : -- \\s 2 LC . Al 5S WT ay SC Heating needs of R-2000 comes from solar gains From Page 24 sign and construction tech- niques to accommodate R-2000 insulation. Exterior wall insu- lation levels vary from R-20 to R-28. Ceiling insulation ranges from R-40 to R-60 and base- ment walls are R-12 to R-20 says Killins. _ "There are some restrictions in the types of space and domes- tic hot water heating systems that can be used in R-2000 houses. If gas water or space heating is used, for example, there must be an exterior com- bustion air source with a back draft prevention mechanism," Killins said. A significant portion of the heating needs of an R-2000 house can come from passive so- lar gains, so the orientation of the house and the size of the windows are important, he says, low-E, argon gas filled windows are becoming more widely used. There are currently about 500 builders in Ontario who are qualified to build R-2000 homes. Many more builders are incorporating some of the ideas from the R-2000 standard with- out getting the homes certified, says Killins, but the certifica- tion is important to ensure the air sealing has been done prop- erly and the house has been in- spected. "It's good assurance for the home buyer," he said. Heating in the '90s Alternative energy options are undergoing a rebirth of in- terest. One alternative - geo- thermal heating and cooling - has been proven to be the most energy-efficient home environ- mental system. According to the industry, and claims backed by numerous geothermal-using homeowners, geothermal can save from 30 to 60 per cent on home conditioning bills while providing heating, cooling and hot water all from the same unit. Geothermal systems also benefit the world's environ- ment. Geothermal heating and cool- ing achieves its energy efficien- cy - how much energy a system consumes to produce one unit of heating or cooling - by tapping into the free, renewable energy stored within the earth and moving it into the home. This energy or heat 1s the result of the earth's ability to act as a mant solar collector, storing about H00 times more energy from the sun than the world is currently using. Geothermal heating and cool- ing systems have been installed in more than 100,000 homes across North America and hun dreds of commercial properties, from schools and office build: ings to hospitals and manufac- turing plants. The technology 1s simple. Ge- othermal works on the basic fact that the underground tem- peratures all over North Ameri- ca remain relatively constant throughout the year at about 50 degrees I, even though outdoor temperatures vary widely sea- son to season. In winter, water circulating through a "loop" of underground pipe absorbs this heat from the earth and carnes it to the geothermal unit inside the home. This heat 18 extract ed, compressed into a higher temperature and distributed throughout the home via a tra ditional air duct system. In summer, the opposite oc curs. Heat 1s removed from the home and transferred back to the cooler earth by way of the water-filled pipes. It works very much like a refrigerator, remov- ing enough of the warm air to lower the temperature to the correct setting. During both the winter and summer, some of the heat being moved is diverted to the hot wa- ter tank. This allows the earth's energy to heat 50 to 75 per cent of the hot water free, saving a homeowner an average of sever- al hundred dollars each year. Geothermal systems, along with air-to-air heat pumps, are unique because they move heat to and from a home. Unlike tra- ditional heating systems, geo- thermal heating and cooling systems do not burn fuel to make heat. A geothermal sys- tem will produce anywhere from three to four units of heat for every unit of electnaty needed to run the pump, com- pressor and fan. Therefore, its 300 to 400 per cent efhicient. Natural gas, propane, fuel oil and electric resistance are all less than 100 per cent efficient. Air-to-air heat pumps are about 200 per cent efficient but draw their heat from the air outside and not from the earth. According to current geother- mal homeowners, geothermal systems give them what they want most. Geothermal sys- tems are the most comfortable They produce an even tempera ture throughout the house with- out the draftiness often asso- ciated with fuel-burning heat systems. In addition, there are no flames, flues or fumes, and the systems are extremely quiet and easy to operate. Also, the home 13 attractive because there 1s no noisy, unsightly out- side equipment. (yeothermal systems are quite beneficial to the environ: ment as well. Since there 18 no burning of fuel, geothermal sys- tems do not produce pollution Electric utilities can eliminate brownouts and the building of new coal-fired, pollution- generating power plants. The world can reduce its depen dence on oil by reducing the need for fossil fuels. Geothermal heating and cool- ing systems appear to be a very bright opportumty in an other- wise threatening energy situa tion article submitted courtesy of, Superior Plumbing & Heating W,_ Dufchwes - CHIMNEY STAYS CLEAN « ASH REMOVAL DRAWER 900 Hopkins St. at Burns, Behind The Restaurant Whitby (416) 668-3192 Woodstoves Fireplace Inserts . HIGH EFFICIENCY . GLASS STAYS CLEAN . LOW POLLUTION « SOLID CAST IRON "Fireplote Plus' 900 Hopkins St. at Burns vi! WHITBY, 668-3192 y/A 7 If your home is heated clectri- cally, and you're thinking ol adding air conditioning, take a look at heat pumps. Many people have heard of heat pumps but aren't quite sure what they aie or what they do. Quite simply. heat pumps usc the samc kind of technology as refrigerators. A fridge doesn't make cold air. It pumps out the warm ait, leaving the inside of the [ndge cool A heat pump works the same way. In the summer, it takes the heat out of your house to air con- dition it. In the winter it reverses itself to extract the heat from the outside air and transfer it into your house. (Even in winter, there is lots of heat in the air) On top of all this, a heat punip will cut your clectric heat- ing bill by up to 30%. Unlike traditional heating systems, a heat pump doesn't consume energy to produce heat. It needs energy only flor its fans and compressor. Call us for more information on heat pumps and our rebate up to $2,000. a member of EnerMark The Electricity People ™ N Want to lower your Electric Heating add Air Conditioning? Consider a Heat Pump, land | ate -------- 5. -. - Da Z RTI ky roti Sse] _-- ai, ~~ g 2. HAR ' Sha Li SAMA ANIL A ALR LS] 3 ye a, OLMSTEAD Energy Management Rep| 1 Lo sid CATHY Lakeshore Area - Bowmanville -800-263-8028 ae RNA.