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CATCH THAT
PEPSI SPIRff
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Beware of devices
that “save energy
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BE A
PEPPER
P e p s l - C o l a — D r P e p p e r B o ttlin g C o .
3011 Silverton Rd., N.E., Salem, Oregon
BYAN
Phone 363-9221
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As energy costs increase, so does
the availability of energy saving
devices of all types. While many pro
ducts do save energy, an alarming
number of items of little or no value
are flooding the market and legiti
mate products are being sold with
grossly exaggerated claims.
We can only assume that,, in a
severe energy shortage, claims will
become more exaggerated, even
more worthless devices will be
readied for the marketplace, and il
legal sales practices will increase
sharply.
(F o rm e rly H o lid a y Inn)
745 Commercial S t SE, Salem, 363-2451
All new menu — Luncheon specials — Mon. thur Frl.
** Nightly Lounge Entertainment Mon. thru Sat.
Beautiful Motel Units with a State rate available.
Large banquet facilities for dining or meetings.
ALL OF THESE AND MORE AT OUR OTHER INNS.
PIERPOINT INN — Florence, Oregon
Lodging, Dining and Entertainment with a beautiful Bay View.
SWEPTWING MOTEL AND RESTAURANT — Albany, Oregon
Drive in or fly In. Meetings and Banquets our specialty.
It pays to be sensitive to these
problems when you’re buying. Some
things to watch for:
“LOOK”
TO YOUR CREDIT UNION FOR FINANCIAL NEEDS!
If you’re not a MEMBER —
NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN!
If you are a MEMBER —
use your CREDIT UNION for all Its worth.
No Cost Services
Watts Line
Notary Public
Traveler’s Checks
Consumer Information
-New and used R.V. and Auto Guides
$5,000.00 Life Insurance on your loan
$2,000.00 Term Life Insurance on your share account
SAVINGS
A variety of p ro g ra m s to ch oo se from .
LOANS
For all productive purposes.-
ALL STATE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES
ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE MEMBERS
EACH MEMBER ACCOUNT INSURED TO $100,000. BY
ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION.
FOR YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS, CALL YOUR CREDIT UNION.
Outside Salem: 1-800-452-7816
► Insulation is a good investment,
but be aware of some-potential pit-
falls. Urea formaldehyde foam has
been under scrutiny by various
federal and state consumer protec
tion and health departments. Not
only are there discouraging health
problems associated with it, but
after shrinkage (which can occur
even when It’s properly mixed and
installed) and the resulting loss of
efficiency, the product becomes a
very expensive conservation mea
sure. Experts are still hammering
out just how much effectiveness is
lost through shrinkage.
Perlite (ceramic) insulation is also
under study. One company claims
an R-value of 70 for three inches of
the product — much higher than
cheaper products at this depth.
Many companies that inflate claims
this much say that standard Insula
tion test methods do not apply. In
other words, a “ special test” is re
quired to substantiate high R-value
claims. Under the Federal Trade
Commission’s new insulation rule,
► In th e w o rld o f energy saving
th is c o m p a n y ’s R-70 c la im w o u ld
not be measurable by prescribed
test methods.
► Watch for exaggerated claims
among home conservation devices.
For instance, furnace flue dampers
can be of some value, but one com
pany claims a 27% .reduction in
heating bills. Their literature also
implies a DOE Endorsement!
Federal agencies do not endorse
any brand product. ,
► Make sure conservation devices
THUHDERBIRD
M otor Lodge
1015 South Riverside
Medford, Oregon
$4
Discount
to OSEA Members
$23/night single occupancy
Ä
Best
Wesuni
Page 8
you buy conform to local codes. An
indoor clothes dryer vent, for in
stance, can certainly save some
heating costs by venting the dryer
into a heated laundry room, but
many vent manufacturers do not
warn th at the devices violate
building codes in many areas.
devices, probably the best area to
find worthless products is in “ gas-
savors." Many of these devices and
additives have been tested by the
Environmental Protection Agency,
yet at this writing only two have
been shown to increase mileage.
If you’re not a garage tinkerer,
you’d be wise to stick to tried and
true gas economy measures —
regular tune-ups, adequate tire
pressure, alternative transportation,
and sometimes, car replacement.
(For a fact sheet on EPA test results
and guidelines for assessing “ gas-
sa vers," w rite FTC Consumer
Education Off., Washington, D.C.
20580.)
STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION
1550 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97308
585-7084
99
2 blocks off 1-5
Adjacent to OPEU
► Though there are many effective
products in the solar retrofit market,
study carefully before you buy. Two
things make the solar area ripe for
fraud — large tax credits (up to 70%
in Colorado, for example), and sim
ple lack of knowledge on the part of
consumers. State energy offices
an<t extension services can be a
good source of unbiased solar infor
mation, as is the National Solar
Heating and Cooling Information
Center (call toll free 800/462-4983; in
Alaska and Hawaii 800/5234700).
► Several fuel oil “ rip-offs” have
come to light. One is ticket switch
ing, in which the consumer is given
a bill for more fuel than he actually
receives. Another is overcharging
consum ers w ith a dual pipe.
Unscrupulous dealers insert an
extra tube into the main, pipe, enabl
ing the fuel to be registered on the
meter, but the second pipe diverts
7-8% of the fuel back to the truck.