1 The Dallas Post Do it right with doors Homeowners often think that their use of exterior doors is their only line of defense in the battle to save energy dollars. The principle involved 1s the same as the use of an oven. Every time the door is opened energy is lost. Short of a science fiction transporter, there is no way during intemperate weather that a door can be opened without the loss of energy. So, home- owners are right when they conclude that the less time involved in opening and closing an exterior door the bet- ter, when running indoor energy sys- tems. But, the homeowners first line of defense with any exterior door prod- uct comes with the home’s initial de- sign and later with correct installation and finishing of all the exterior doors. “Doing it right” at the outset will max- imize the door’s energy performance as well as its life expectancy. There are four basic exterior door products on the market—wood, met- al, molded wood fiber, and fiber- glass—in a wide range of styles and designs, from single doors to elabo- rate entry systems. As different as these products may seem, they have more in common than most homeowners would think. Correct installation is the key to max- imizing energy efficiency and correct finishing and maintenance are the key to extending the “life” of the product. Energy Control At The Design Phase Energy control begins at the design phase in which entrances to homes are placed in the protective presence of a porch or overhang and key entrances are placed away from prevailing “bad weather winds.” Installation For the most part, air tends to travel around an object rather than through it—a process called “air infiltration.” Air infiltration is controlled best at the time of installation. This simply means that all points where the door frame meets the framework of the house should be caulked and sealed with high quality products. Further caulking is recom- mended with all exterior moldings. Then, once the door and its frame are in place, a quality weatherstrip- ping system must be installed. A qual- ity bottom sweep must also be in- stalled for the same reason. The door itself could be made of the Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, October 6, 1993 A protective overhang is recommended to prolong the finish on exterior doors and to minimize the amount of moisture tracked into the house. most fantastic insulating material ever devised, but the energy-efficiency will be severely lessened if the door’s frame remains uncaulked or an inad- equate weatherstripping system has been installed carelessly. The control of air infiltration at the time of installation is the key. Finishing and Maintenance While many doors are pre-primed, most need finishing according to man- ufacturer recommendations. Follow- ing those recommendations will keep warranties in effect. Door warranties typically range from 1-5 years. Homeowners are wise to remember that a door has six surfaces that need finishing—the front and back, the two sides, as"well as the top and bottom edges. Finishing should be completed af- ter the door and frame are installed and before the weatherstripping and bottom sweep are put into place. Any fresh cuts made into the door for trimming or for installing hard- ware must also be sealed. Long Life And Good Performance Any exterior door on today’s market that is made by a quality manufactur- er will perform well when installed and finished according to the manu- facturer’s recommendations. Improve your coffee table with a subscription to The Dallas Post. Call 675-5211 or use the coupon on page 2 of the main section. pe - Furnace repairs » Bathroom fixtures 675-4949 = Faucet repairs = Air conditioning PARKER FUEL CO. RR #6 Box 23, DALLAS, PA 18612 675-1155 @® Making our neighbors comfortable for over 40 years * New installation oil/gas « Hi-efficiency burners - HOME FUEL DELIVERY EE BT a EL I ra ~ WOOD FLOOR SEMINAR & SALE Thursday, October 7 — 6:30-8:30 Contractors & Homeowners We will be demonstrating the latest techniques for installing hardwood flooring: + Featuring Robbins Premium Hardwood Flooring « Solid and Laminated * Prefinished + Unfinished « Created For Design Versatility * For Easy Installation + For Effortless Upkeep * Flooring To Endure For Generations Come See Ow, Special Savings On Hardwood HEADS-UP FLOORING CO., INC. Sales — Installation — Sanding & Finishing Hardwood Flooring 213 Tener Street, Luzerne ¢ (717) 283-8488 Exit 6 Off The Cross Valley Offer Ends November 30, 1993 CALL FOR RESERVATIONS PURCHASES- + REFINANCE CONSTRUCT « JUMBO'S « NO INCOME VERIFICATION « HIGH RATIO'S « MARGINAL CREDIT With our “cash out” option, you can use the ) equity in your home fo get extra cash for remodeling, investments, college, medical bills, debt consolidation - virtually anything! “Your Lifestyle Lender” [eli 4) MORTGAGE ASSOCIATES, INC. 100 Commerce Blvd. ® Suite 100 » Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 FOR CURRENT LOW RATES CALL: 1-800-448-7780 CALL EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS, TOO! ‘Rates subject to change without prior notice 24 GS RE i Typical Insulation Levels to Meet Model Energy Code Standards Heating Degree- Ceiling Wall Floor Day Zone R-Value R-Value R-Value (0-500) R-19 R-13 R-11 (501-3000) R-30 R-15 R-11 (3001-5000) R-38 R-15 R-13 (5001-6000) R-38 R-21 R-19 th (6001 Up) R-49 R-21 R-25 Hawaii = Zone 1 Alaska = Zone § Officials (CABO). and windows in a typical house. Manville brand recommends these levels of insulation for new construction to com- ply with the 1992 Model Energy Code published by the Council of American Building In each zone, other insulation combinations can be used to comply. This recommen- dation assumes some construction details, including limited areas of efficient doors New manual touts solar power use in PA There is a great misconception that solar-based energy systems are not feasible in Northeastern Pennsyl- vania. To address this issue, the Pennsylvania Energy Office (PEO) has compiled an 83-page manual which spotlights various successful solar energy projects throughout the State. This publication, according to officials of the Northeastern Penn- sylvania Energy Center, a branch of the PEO located in Pittston, is avail- able locally and is available free of charge. Titled the “Pennsylvania Solar Manual”, itoffers a detailed look into the inner workings of different types of solar energy systems, including the fundamentals of solar energy, solar space heating, solar hot water, solar cooling, and solar electricity. In addition, case examples of fully operational solar systems located in Pennsylvania homes, businesses, multi-unit complexes, utility compa- nies, government buildings, and oth- ers are addressed. Each of these case examplesincludesabrief background of the project designers, and how to get more information if needed. One of the many authors of the manual is Joseph Burinski, A.I.A. and professor at Penn State Univer- sity’s Hazleton Campus. Mr. Bur- insky operates an architectural prac- tice in Hazleton, and has worked professionally with firms in Massa- chusetts, Connecticut,and Washing- tonas well as Pennsylvania. In North- eastern Pennsylvania alone, Mr. Bur- insky has designed many solar struc- tures which have met and even ex- ceeded the expectations of building owners. Several of those designs are featured in the manual, including a double-envelope solar home and the Scranton Housing Authority’s “phase change” heating and hot water sys- tem. John Snyder of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Energy Center said of the manual, “I’m extremely pleased that the PEO has made this informa- tion available. There have been too many instances where people would scoff at the idea of solar power in Pennsylvania. Now I can show them the manual and say ‘Hey, here it is. These are systems built in this State that have been working successfully and without complaint for years.’ It’s a great resource, and could start to change the way Pennsylvanians feel about solarenergy.” Snyderalso stated that the function of the North- east Energy Center is to provide a local source of unbiased energy in- formation, and the staff of the Energy Center is available to answer ques- tions or provide assistance to anyone with energy questions. The majority of Northeast Energy Center services are provided free of cost. The “Pennsylvania Solar Manual” is available free of charge through the Northeastern Pennsylvania En- ergy Center while supplies last. Copies may be obtained by writing: Northeastern Pennsylvania Energy Center, Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylva- nia, 1151 Oak Street, Pittston, PA 18640-3795, or call the Energy Cen- ter Office at 717-655-5581. ie emo Mr i iii is OS i hl ee i E D The Dallas Post Fall Home Improvement Protect electronics from power surges Blip! In a fraction of a second, your large electronics investment fades into oblivion, along with the picture on your big-screen TV. You’ve been hit by a power surge! Unfortunately, such a scenario is not as infrequent as you might think. Sophisticated microprocessors in today’s expensive consumer electron- ics and appliances need a stable power supply. A jolt of increased voltage and current, known as a power surge, can suddenly annihilate or seriously dis- able vital components in your faithful PC, TV or VCR. Power surges also have an affinity for searching out and destroying your other favorite equipment and work savers, including stereos, video games, telephone an- swering machines, fax machines, copiers, workshop tools and mi- crowave ovens. But don’t despair. There’s an easy and low-cost remedy. “Surge protectors are the best way for consumers to safeguard valuable electronic equipment from power surges,” says Mike Einstein of Inter- matic Inc., a manufacturer of home protection and control products. —_ a 2 a Wednesday, October 6, 1993 9 “These devices can dissipate a power surge within a billionth of a second, al- lowing normal voltage to flow to the equipment. They then reset them- selves for the next onslaught, continu- ously protecting your equipment.” You’ll be amazed at how many types of surge protectors there are to choose from at your local hardware store, home center, discount outlet or computer dealer. They range in size from simple one-outlet units to whole home protectors designed to be in- stalled on the main electrical panel box. Now thru Oct. 31st While Supply Lasts! aNnIzZe Interior Flat Sale NTERIOR FLAT For Wats Ceilings Interior HOUR * Exverior Wood. Masa? Shingles & Al 1154 Wyoming Ave., ry. INCE EER National Paint & Supply, Inc. Wholesale & Retail Distributors Wyoming (Next to Forty Fort Airport) 288-1408 : Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6:00; Sat. 8 Discover The Eggshell Formula 77 Oil Base :00-5:00 Savings ning PROTECT oy. LL OIL BASE DECK & 7 * Wig SEDeCk A
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