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WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT? ll‘you are reading this article at home. look amund you. The house you live in together with all the houses in the country consumes about one-fifth of the total energy used in Canada. Until recently. this country has envloyed an abun- dance of low cost energy that we have never considâ€" ered it a commodity whose cost or availability must be reckoned in our day-toâ€"day decisions. The days of limitless energy at low cost are over. This does not mean that we have to give up our cars and walk or wear woolcns to bed. But it does mean we have to think more of energy conservation. Apart from the problem of scarce energy. is anâ€" other fact. that we are all faced withiinfiation. Utility bills are going up. not only as a result of higher costing fuel supplies. but also under the Impact of inflation. Energy is worth saving. And you will have to do it yourself As individuals. there is not much you personâ€" ally can do about energy that runs our factories. nor can you lower the energy needed to power “mm. shops. theatres. etc. But you can do a lot about reduc- ing the energy drain at home. To make a start. you need a clear picture ofjust where energy Is used in the home. Here's how it breaks down: Space heating gm; Water ............. me; Other Uses ................................................................ I0? You can see very quickly the major arc in which saw ings can be made: space heating. In each of these areas, the amount of energy use is determined b\' two factors: 7 I. Your personal living habits. whether economâ€" tcal or extravagant. 3. fhe type of equipment you now have and how eflicicnt it is. You can change both factors to effect energy savings: you can change or improve your personal living habits or yott can upgrade or replace inclficicnt equipment. In the first case. cost is likely to be a minor inconven~ lence; in the second. some changes will cost money. HOME HEATING AND COOLING In a family's budget. home heating is the biggest item. lfyou can save in this area. you can put a dent in your fuel bills. Here in brief. are the important steps to take to improve efficiency in this area: 28 Add as much insulation in the house as y, km Any money you spend on insulation non ~ ‘. m. offset by smaller heating and cooling bill» it“. future. Some insulation measures don‘t con ugh at all. Add storm windows or double paned glas- nu don't have them (leave storm windous at year.) If you use air conditioning: Weatherstr. ml caulk every air leak. Close off unheated (or uncooled spaces.) Protect glass areas both summer and winlex tug appropriate shades. drapes. blinds. or i; w shading devices. Ventilate attic spaces. particularly in the sur r Control moisture both summer and winter Have heating and cooling equipment L t-d regularly. Some of these suggestions involve investing 't'_now for future savings. And in the years to con' :rc will certainly be new energy saving materials .I up- pliances that may well cost extra. In COl'lSlClefl‘ lLl'I expenditures. always take into account the MI cost of materials (or of appliances) as well as th ‘cr- ating expenses during their estimated lifetime Finally. the basic secret to cutting your ill! costs is keeping heat where you want it. lfyoc tilJ like to learn more about home insulation and i a In do it. send for the book entitled “Keeping the It. m '. office of Energy. Mines and Resources. 580 B- \i. Ottawa. Ontario KIA 0E4. This book tells you how to go about upgrat lllt’ INSUl-Jlion in your home. It deals with l'tOUsc ill kinds. in all parts of Canada and is designed i it: both the experienced “do-it-yourselfer“ and th.. tlll‘ REF. WATER HEATING Heating water accounts for ID percent of l bl energy used in an average household. Man} PL . an not realize the fact that wasted hot water I5 “W heat. Anytime you can save hot water you saw 513‘ You can‘t do without hot water but there an; arm ways to conserve it and energy requirements H l‘“ less. Hot water usage depends on the number n: '- UPI“ in the household. the number of bathrooms ant" .ii the presence and regular use of clothes washers Mde automatic dishwashers.