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Watch R values . • . How to keep fuel costs down SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALER - PAGE 33 - FRIDAY. MARCH It, lf» Happiness is cooking up new kitchen decor! Energy conservation hasn't disappeared just be­ cause fuel is more plentiful. Homeowners discovered it cost more than ever last win­ ter to heat their homes. One way to keep fuel costs within reason, advises the National Home Improvement Coun­ cil, is to "retrofit" homes to maximize the benefits of energy conservation. Savings of up to 50 percent on fuel costs are possible, notes the Council, with the right kind of insulation in the ceilings, walls and floors over unhealed basements or crawl spaces. The effectiveness of insulation material is ex­ pressed in R values--or re­ sistance to heat flow. The higher the R value, the more effective the insulation. The amount of insulation in terms of R-value required to provide energy savings of 50 percent depends on cli­ mate. Those who live in cold climates will need higher R-values than those who live in warm climates. As a gen­ eral rule, however, a well- insulated home has R-30 in­ sulation for ceilings, R-19 for floors and R-13 for walls. Homeowners considering adding insulation should de­ termine whether the house is currently insulated and to what degree. When check­ ing, advises NHIC, the homeowner should look for insulation in the attic and in the basement or in crawl spaces between floor joists. For perimeter walls, check by placing a thermometer on an inside wall. With an out­ side temperature of 50 de­ grees and an inside reading of 68, a well-insulated wall should register about 65 de­ grees. If the reading is con­ siderably lower than 65, it's likely the wall isn't insulated. Besides adequate insula­ tion, caulking and weath­ ers tripping storm windows and doors can save homeow­ ners an additional 13 percent in ftiel costs. Another ftiel conservation measure calls for setting thermostats at levels that will save energy. In summer, for example, thermostats should be set above 78 degrees. In winter, they shouldSc set no higher than 68 degrees. Should you feel a little chilly at 68 degrees, put on a swea­ ter, Each degree above 68 adds about 3 percent to your fuel bill. At night, lower the thermostat several degrees and, if needed, use an extra blanket. As with the heating and cooling system, the size of the water heater should be no larger than required to meet a family's requirements. Since about 15 percent of a home's energy bill goes for heating water, energy is wasted warming up unneeded water in an oversized heater. Also, the hot water heater should not be run above 140 degrees. Take showers instead of baths. Showers require less hot water. Consider instal­ ling an inexpensive flow re- stnctor in the pipe to the showerhead. This device re­ duces the flow of water to four gallons per minute from the usual seven to nine gallons a minute. The same rule about size applies to refrigerator- freezers. Choose a unit that meets the needs of the fam­ ily. There's even a new energy-saving model that uses about one-third less electricity than similar models not equipped with its special thermostatically con- trolled motor. When it comes to cooking, there are some helpful hints to follow to avoid wasting energy. Cooking in an oven is less expensive than using the range top. The insulation in an oven holds heat in. Sur­ face units disperse heat. But don't open and close the oven door frequently; it wastes heat. Finally, frozen foods brought to room temperature before cooking require less energy. Raggedy Ann and Andy at play! REDOING A ROOM IS CHILD'S PLAY--Try •orni ­ thine out of the ordinary with a dash of imagination. Here, the great outdoors b brought inside with a col­ orful "trompe I'oeil" hillside painted on a child's wall. Two colorful wall plaques featuring Raggedy Ann and Andy are placed at "play" on this faux hillside. Of durable plastic and a modest $6.00 each, they are from . Syroco's new collection of clocks, plaques, mirrors and garment racks, all on the same theme. Often, improv­ ing one's lot is iust a matter of fresh paint, fresh ideas and a fresh look «t the interesting, decorative wall ac­ cessories found in variety, gift or department stores in one's home town. "* nsrii> V J J Grumbling about your kitchen? The cabinets are o l d , a n d s o a r e t h e appliances> You haven't enough storage or work space? The lighting is dim? Sounds familiar! A lot of people have the same prob­ lems. According to the Amer­ ican Institute of Kitchen Dealers, three million fam­ ilies are doing something about it this year. They're remodeling. And paying less for a kitchen than they'd pay for a car. If you're_handy with a hammer, and like doing not just odd jobs, but BIG jobs around the house, you can remodel your own kitchen. Some people don't want to do that. They prefer to install the cabinets and entrust the remainder of the job--or the entire job--to a profes­ sional. Where do you find someone who specializes in kitchens? Y o u a s k f r i e n d s , neighbors, the Better Busi­ ness Bureau, your banker. You check the ads in your local newspaper. You look in the yellow pages of your telephone book where, under Kitchen Cabinets & Equip­ ment, you'll probably find a number of names. Some firms will be iden­ tified as members of AIKD, the national trade association of the kitchen/bath industry, and some individuals will haVe the initials CKD after their names. The CKD is a Certified Kitchen Designer, qualified by experience and ability to plan and supervise a kitchen or a bathroom re­ modeling; to help you choose cabinets and equipment; to help you budget. Keep both sets of initials in mind when you're ready to remodel your kitchen or bath, or to add a half-bath or jnstaiHtaundr^j^ General Bectric Erg-sit Ha--i , ureal fMHHMn * frKktoad Sata! GE QUALITY-BUILT POTSCRUBBER* BUILT-IN DISHWASHER 5 cycles,including Power Scrub". Energy-Saver Cycle for "heat-off" drying. Soft Food Disposer. Tuff Tub* Interior. Regular Price $369.95 Lets "Sale" Discount *30 You Pay Only Modal JBP-52W QE QUALITY-BUILT P-7* SELF- CLEANING OVEN RANGE WITH BEAUTIFUL LIGHTED GLASS CONTROL PANEL Oven cleans itself automatically, electrically. Easy-Set Oven Timer and Clock. Oven Interior Light. Infinite heat controls for surface units. Regular Price $449.95 WT Lett "Sale" Discount *30 GE QUALITY-BUILT 17.6 CU. FT. NO-FROST REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER with Adjustable Shelves Big 4.65 cu. ft. freezer • Energy- Saver Switch • Meat Keeper • Rolls out on wheels • Optional Automatic Icemaker at Extra Cost. Regular Price $499.95 WT Legg "Sale" Dlgcount *25 You Pay Only $419 95 WT You Pay Only *474 95 WT CAREY Appliance SALES A SERVICE . 1241 N. Green St. 385-5500 McHenry, III. J j)