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Page 2 Section II Portland Observer, April 13. 1983
BEFORE
YOUR HOME
W hat does one do w ith an unsightly basamant w ith wastad
•paca? Utilizing a gaomatrical floor plan, aaparats tha arsa Into
thraa, making it multi-purpose. The three areas become a laundry,
sewing and offics spaca.
Make Your Home a Prize Fighter In Energy Costs Bout
A d d in g fib e r glass in s u la tio n to
yo u r a ttic is a good punch to th ro w
in th e o p e n in g ro u n d o f th e b o u t
aga in s t s k y ro c k e tin g energy costs.
But when you go back in the ring in
la te r ro u n d s , y o u 'll need som e new
ta c tic s to k e e p y o u r e x p e n s iv e
opponent up against the ropes.
AFTER
N a il strips o f insulation at the sill
o r at the jo is t b an d . M a k e sure the
s trip s o f in s u la tio n f it s n u g ly
together and that the pieces are long
enough to cover tw o feet o f flo o r.
W h e n y o u h av e th e in s u la tio n
in s ta lle d a ll th e w a y a ro u n d th e
c r a w l s p a c e , la y d o w n a p iece o f
Defense 3: Joist Bend
A n im p o r ta n t a re a th a t is o fte n
o v e rlo o k e d because o f its o u t - o f -
th e -w a y lo c a tio n is th e jo is t
b an d — that space between the top o f
the basement w all and the flo o r joist
a b o v e . I f le ft u n in s u la te d , th is
critical area can be a m a jo r souce o f
heat loss d uring the w inter and heat
gain d u rin g the sum m er aro u n d the
base o f your entire house.
C u t strips o f in s u la tio n th a t are
slightly larger than the cav ity itself.
T uck these pieces in to the cavity and
y o u ’ re done.
Inganloua use of panslling compartmantalizes tha spacsa Into
self-contained units, while still leaving them open enough for easy
access. Tha floor is covarad with tiles In alternating colors of whits,
graen and blus to furthar daflna tha thraa areas as wall as to add a
livaly touch of color.
Is your roof leaking?
Thinking of remodeling
Tour kitchen or bathroom?
Need insulation?
Need new plumbing or wiring?
Do you need emergency home repairs?
Defense 6: Ductwork
I f y o u r h eating or a ir c o n d itio n
ing ducts pass th o ru g h u n fin is h e d
attics o r basements then you may be
wasting energy. T h e D e p a rtm e n t o f
E nergy estim ates that h om eow ners
can save up to $100 a year in heating
costs and $35 in a ir co n d itio n in g by
insulating ducts.
Defense 6: Water Heater
Oaf ansa 1: Qaraga Wall
O n e o f the m ost o v e rlo o k e d and
easy to in s u la te a re a s is th e w a ll
b etw e e n y o u r h om e and g arage. I f
th e w a ll is n 't in s u la te d , m u c h o f
your precious healed o r cooled a ir is
escaping to this area.
I f the w a ll has open fra m in g you
c a n in s u la te it e a s ily b y n a ilin g
c h ic k e n w ire to the fra m e to h o ld
b lan kets o f fib e r glass in su latio n in
p la c e . Y o u can also h a m m e r n ails
in to the fra m e and w ra p w ire fro m
nail to nail to secure the insulation.
Defense 2: Crawl Space
I f y o u r h ou se c o n ta in s a c ra w l
space that is high enough for you to
w o r k in . che c k to see i f th e f lo o r
abo ve it is ins u la te d . I f it is n ’ t this
space is a n o th e r p rim e ta rg e t fo r
p la s tic to act as a v a p o r b a r r ie r .
T u c k the ends o f the p la s tic u n d er
the insu latio n so that it touches the
fo u n d a tio n w a ll. T h e n la y 2x4s on
ro c k s o n to p o f the in s u la tio n to
keep it in place.
Defans« 3: Floor
I f y o u h a v e a c r a w l space th a t
c a n 't be sealed o f f . o r y o u h ave a
g a ra g e , p o rc h o r o th e r u n h e a te d
space w ith heated ro o m s a b o ve it ,
y o u sho uld co n s id e r in s u la tin g th e
flo o r o f the living area.
B a tts o r b la n k e ts o f in s u la tio n
w ith a v a p o r b a r r ie r can e asily be
installed between the flo o r joists by
stap lin g w ire mesh o r chicken w ire
to th e jo is ts a n d th e n s lid in g the
in s u la tio n on to p o f the w ire . T h e
vapo r b arrier should face up tow ard
insulated.
/ N eil K elly >
W ill F ind & P lug
Y our H eat L eaks .
A n o th e r
im p o r t a n t
w ay
to
c h a lle n g e e n e rg y costs is by
insulating your w ater heater.
T o in s u la te y o u r w a te r h e a te r,
you w ill need enough in s u la tio n to
encircle the tan k and cover the top.
Just w ra p the in su latio n aro u n d the
tank like y o u 'd w rap a f i t — w ith the
s h in y side o u t . C o v e r a ll o f the
s u rfa c e s e x c e p t f o r a fe w c r it ic a l
areas that must be left open.
O n an e le c tr ic w a te r h e a te r, be
sure n ot to c o v e r the d ra in fa u c e t,
the th e rm o s ta t access p an e l o r the
relief valve at the top o f the tan k.
O n a gast h ea le r, d o n ’ t cover the
a ir in le ts , p ip e s , c o n tr o ls , r e lie f
v a lv e s , flu e o r to p o f th e h e a te r.
A ls o , secure th e in s u la tio n to the
tank so it w o n 't slip d ow n over these
areas.
Defence 7: Fireplace Damper
C h e c k y o u f ir e p la c e d a m p e r .
D o n 't be surprised if you fin d an air
gap o f an inch o r m o re even w hen
the dam per is closed. A gap here can
be costly.
Defense 8: Vents and Pipes
C heck fo r holes w here p lu m b in g
pipes and telephone wires enter your
h o u se , a ro u n d e x h a u s t fa n s and
dryer vents, around sink and bathub
drains as they leave your house.
T h e e n e rg y b e ll is a lre a d y
sounding, so put on your gloves and
come out fighting.
Call 288-7461 to increase your home comfort
(and economy) year round.
Heat leaks lost energy dollars and drafts cause
ihe «.ommon told Y« k > need Neil Kells
experience to find and p lu g em right ( . » I now
for sour inspection, and a free estimate for
insulation sseatherstnpping and storm windows
Low interest loans and tax credits are still
.n a ila b le Ask a b o u t out ix-ss Inflated t^ualits
Control survey too
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The City of Portland Development Commission pro
vides funds for remodeling and emergency repairs
In many City neighborhoods. Several loan programs
are available to qualified famlles based on family
income, with interest rates for loans ranging from
096-11%. To find out if you : ia lily, call 8 4 8 *4 0 0 0 .
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