Builder- March 2009 - (Page 21) BMAIL perform an environmental impact study, even though PEX has been used for decades elsewhere in the world without a problem and even though PEX is approved by the NSF. It is reported that no genuine health issue could be identified in the lawsuit. Rather, the two principal backers of the lawsuit were the plumbers’ union and a trade counsel for copper manufacturers in an anti-consumer, anti-environmental effort to protect their existing levels of income. Speaking with the city’s chief plumbing inspector, I sense that he agrees with Mr. Lyons as well, but his hands are tied. Like the majority of counties and municipalities in California, PEX is prohibited for fear of future liability at a local level. He is waiting until PEX piping is reallowed under the California Plumbing Code so the cost of legal challenges and liability can be shifted to the cashstrapped state instead of landing on the cash-strapped city. I hope this issue is resolved soon. It pains me to continue to waste time and money using copper when such a viable, clearly superior product exists. It’s time our governments protect the interests of consumers and join us in the 21st century. BRAUN DEGENSHEIN Owner Skyway Remodel Oakland, Calif. Via e-mail Mind the Gap four ways to reduce H ow about in any home: Imagine leavenergy costs ing a window open all winter long—the heat loss, cold drafts, and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a wholehouse fan or AC return, a fireplace, or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day. These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in—costing you higher heating bills. Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts. But what can you do about the four largest holes in your home—the folding attic stair, the whole-house fan or AC return, the fi replace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly, and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes. Attic Stairs: An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling. Whole-House Fans and AC Returns: An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole-house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole-house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss; remove it when use of the fan is desired. Fireplaces: A recent study showed that, for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fi replaces. An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fi replace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for its energy conservation products, a fi replace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fi replace is used, then reinserted after. Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts: An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infi ltration and keep out pests, bees, and rodents. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint, and moisture to escape. If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole-house fan, an AC return, a fi replace, or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly, and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes. Posted on BuilderOnline.com in response to Nigel Maynard’s article “10 Things You Must Put In Your Next House.” DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR QUESTION? E-MAIL DENISE DERSIN AT: ddersin@hanley wood.com W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM http://www.integritywindows.com/sample http://www.BuilderOnline.com http://www.integritywindows.com/sample http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM
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