Tài liệu Home and Garden Winter P2 doc

Triple-paned windows insulate your home and reduce street noise better than dou-ble-paned windows, but they can cost about 50 percent more.. • Geothermal systems can dramatically reduce

home&garden 31

coating that reflects up to 70 percent of

heat energy while allowing in visible light,

generally giving it an R-factor of around

4 Some higher-end windows also contain

other insulators such as heat-mirror film

that more than double their insulating

properties to R-9 or higher Better-quality

windows are beneficial in sunny Colorado,

where you want to block hot summer

sunlight but let in warm winter sunshine

Triple-paned windows insulate your home

and reduce street noise better than

dou-ble-paned windows, but they can cost

about 50 percent more Do your math to

make sure the extra expense is justified

Gas Fillers The spaces between

double- and triple-paned windows can

be filled with regular air or inert gases,

such as argon and krypton Inert gases

are odorless, colorless and nontoxic, plus

they reduce heat transfer Argon, for

example, has about 33 percent less

ther-mal conductivity than air

Visible Transmittance Number.

The visible transmittance (VT) number on

your window’s label indicates how much

light the glass lets through VT values can

range from 0 to 1, but most VT values

fall between 0.3 and 0.8 The higher the

number, the cleaner the glass

Air Leakage. Different styles of

win-dows have different rates of air leakage

Hinged windows generally offer the lowest

leakage rates, but look for an air leakage

rate of less than 0.3, which is the standard

in most areas

Energy Star® Standards. The U.S

Department of Energy has proposed

stricter Energy Star® standards that

are expected to be phased in starting

in late 2009, and fully implemented by

2013 Among other things, the new rules

will incorporate more specific regional

guidelines for windows, dividing the

country into six territories instead of

four, and placing Colorado in three zones

rather than two If you want the most

energy-efficient windows available for

our area, some manufacturers, including

New Windows for America in Northglenn

and Accent Windows in Westminster, sell

products that already meet or exceed the

new standards

Shopping for replacement windows

can be confusing But armed with a

little knowledge and patience, you can

improve your home’s comfort at the same

time you cut energy costs and help

pro-tect the environment

Boulder, Colorado 303-993-2645

bluevalleyenergy.com

Use the natural warmth of the earth to heat and cool your home

• Geothermal systems can dramatically reduce energy use

• Save 40% to 70% on your heating & cooling bills

• The ideal comfort system for new construction and retrofits

Planet Earth

The best heating and cooling system for your home.

Call to learn more about new federal tax rebates for geothermal!

32 home&garden

By Debra Melani

Winter is as welcome to gardeners as aphids are to roses: No more red-ripe juicy toma-toes, sweet-smelling flowers or warm hours

in the garden Just snow, wind and cold But some green thumbs are easing their winter blues by taking up greenhouse gar-dening “I just like the cozy feeling and the greenery in wintertime,” says Sue Main, who has a 6-by-8-foot greenhouse where she overwinters geraniums, petunias and fuchsias, and her husband grows tomatoes and peppers

Nationwide, greenhouse sales have increased, especially following the 9/11 food-shortage scare, says Main, a consul-tant for Charley’s Green house & Garden

in Washington state More people also want to grow their own food to avoid

pesticides, E coli contamination and

other threats Interest in orchid-growing has also fueled sales, but it’s the cold-state gardeners who make up the bulk

of the nearly 1 million U.S gardeners a

32 home&garden

A greenhouse requires research, time and

money, but the payoff is the gift of greenery

and a peaceful, restorative space year-round.

home&garden 33

34 home&garden

GREENHOUSE GRAB BAG

SOLARGRO DOVER

Advantages: Attaches to home, convenient to

use regardless of weather, nearby plumbing and

electrical connections, energy efficient

Disadvantages: Requires careful planning

to fit home, shade-cloth attachment can be

difficult to use

Glazing: Glass and twin- or five-wall

polycarbonate

Size, Price: Wide variety with some

customization available; under $3,000 to

$8,000-plus

SOLARGRO CAPE COD

Advantages: Attractive designs, headroom

for tall plants and hanging baskets, sheds snow

Disadvantages: Could exceed height

restrictions, more area to heat than some models

Glazing: Glass and twin- or five-wall

polycarbonate

Size, Price: Wide variety and can be

customized; $5,000 to $20,000-plus

Here are a few greenhouse models from Charley’s Greenhouse & Garden Check charleysgreenhouse.com for more options

SOLARGRO PHOENIX

Advantages: Designed for cold, dark

climates, deflects wind, sheds snow, most energy-efficient model

Disadvantages: Can’t be customized,

except for door and door drop

Glazing: Combination of five-wall

polycarbonate and white insulated panels

Size, Price: 10-by-12 feet, 10-by-16 feet,

10-by-20 feet; $7,950 $9,490, $10,950, respectively

— Debra Melani

home&garden 35

year who have bought greenhouses for

the past five years, says the National

Gardening Association

A greenhouse is usually a costly

invest-ment that involves more than picking the

prettiest one on a website and hitting

the “order now” button The selection

depends on your space and budget, and

on what and how much you want to

grow Many novices opt for greenhouse

kits, which can range from window-box

greenhouses to cozy 4-by-6-footers to

industrial 20-by-50-foot models Some

suppliers will also customize a

green-house to fit any space

“Sometimes with kits, you get what you

pay for,” cautions Shane Smith, director of

the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and author

of Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion

Buyers will have to invest time and energy

to construct the greenhouse, and the

foundation, electricity and plumbing aren’t

included and often require contractors to

install These additional expenses can add

up quickly, along with costs for essential

accessories like humidity and misting

sys-tems, benches, and grow lights

So kit buyers shouldn’t assume a

bet-ter price is a betbet-ter deal, Smith says,

“because you’re probably getting a

lower-quality product.”

You’ll also have to choose a style for

your greenhouse, which ranges from

tradi-tional (gabled roofs, A-frames and gothic

arches) to offbeat (domes and prisms)

Picking the “glazing”—a greenhouse’s

wall and roof material—involves

fore-thought, too For Colorado, Main suggests

twin-wall polycarbonate glazing, or

five-wall, if you can afford it “Unless looks

are especially important,” she says “Then

you would want glass because you can see

through it a lot better.”

Glass also lasts longer—“unless it

meets up with a rock,” Smith says But

polycarbonate is more energy efficient—

something to consider if you don’t want

to grow tomatoes that cost more than

store-bought varieties because of heating

bills Twin-wall polycarbonate costs about

the same as glass, but five-wall bumps

up the price considerably However, the

increase could quickly be recouped in

energy savings

For those on a budget, Smith suggests

Solexx greenhouse kits (solexx.com)

The company’s polyethylene blend might

not last quite as long, but offers similar or

better energy efficiency at a lower cost

Why were we chosen to insulate the Governor’s Mansion?

Because of the results of the Extreme Energy Makeover Home in Boulder

Bestway Insulation’s experts know how important it is to keep homes of all sizes well insulated That includes your home

Our commitment to reducing your energy bills and keeping your family comfortable is just one reason why Bestway has recorded the highest energy savings from insulation for two years in a row at the Extreme Energy Makeover Homes in Boulder and Centennial

In addition, Bestway Insulation is a qualified contractor for the

Insulate Colorado Rebate program, offered by the Governor’s Energy Office The program provides a rebate to homeowners (20% up to $300) who insulate and air-seal their attics and exterior walls to the recommended R-Values presented in the

2006 International Energy Conservation Code

We take our work very seriously because we believe all Ameri-cans have a moral obligation to insulate and seal their homes so that we don’t waste money or energy that heats up our earth

SPECIALIZING IN SUPER-INSULATING HOUSES

BESTWAY INSULATION SERVICE

36 home&garden

Solexx kits don’t require the permanent

investment of laying a foundation, either

For newcomers to greenhouse

garden-ing, tent-like cold frame kits, which cost

as little as $300, may be a good way to

go, Smith says Although not useful

year-round, they do allow you to grow seedlings

very early in the season and keep greenery

growing through late autumn

Single or Attached?

Perhaps the biggest decision is whether

to buy a freestanding or house-attached

model, which has some advantages,

Smith says “I’ve always contended that

the closer you are to your greenhouse

physically, the better you’re going to take

care of it And if you attach it to your

home, that’s about as close as it gets You

might be more apt to sip your morning

coffee out there and think, ‘I need to

fertilize my orchids.’”

A well-insulated attached greenhouse

on the south side can also decrease home heating bills, he says At the same time, the house buffers the greenhouse from north-erly winds Heat, electricity and plumb-ing are probably more accessible with

an attached greenhouse, which is impor-tant if you want to garden year-round

“Otherwise, you shut it down for the three coldest months or grow only incredibly tolerant plants,” Smith says There are also propane-heater options for greenhouses

On the flip side, freestanding green-houses set up anywhere, and come in larger sizes

Green Go-Ahead

Before buying a greenhouse, make sure the doors and frame (typically alumi-num or wood) are sturdy, and that it comes with a warranty Also, be sure the company provides technical assistance, a

thorough and easy-to-follow manual, and

an instruction video

Snow and wind load are also impor-tant factors to consider, especially in our area Snow easily slides off steep roofs, and curved eaves are often not available

in energy-saving polycarbonate models Building codes and neighborhood cov-enants may also govern choices

Main recommends at least a 75-mph wind load and 35-pounds-per-square-foot snow load for greenhouses in Colorado

“Check with the local codes,” she says, and see if upgrades are available for the models you’re interested in

Despite the expense, time and research necessary to greenhouse-garden, Smith predicts it will continue to grow in popu-larity “People are getting more into gar-dening,” he says, “and they really enjoy picking their own flowers and vegetables It’s also just a great cure for winter.”

Insulate with Reflectix (a foil-faced, bubble-wrap-like material) on the east, west and north walls, and north roof portion Insulate the foundation’s outside perimeter with a 1-to-2-inch-thick vertically placed Styrofoam board that extends down for at least a foot

Weatherstrip vents and doors, and caulk cracks To determine where leaks are, close up the greenhouse, light an incense stick and hold it against the walls and joints If the smoke moves, seal that spot

Line the north wall with metal

or black drums filled with water The drums absorb heat during the day and release it at night

Invest in a night curtain, which you can roll across the inside of the greenhouse at night Just like a blanket, it’s useful in extremely cold and windy areas

—Source: Shane Smith, greenhousegarden.com

“GREEN”HOUSE TIPS

Glass greenhouses (left) showcase plants because you can see through the walls But they don’t insulate as well as polycarbonate greenhouses (above),

a better choice for Colorado’s climate and your energy bills.

home&garden 37

38 home&garden

By Debra Melani

Who doesn’t love a spa day? The primping

The preening The relaxation But

some-times it’s hard to find the time Or maybe

you can’t shell out the bucks So why not

join the millions of in-home spa goers?

We asked a few experts how to pamper

in private without spending a wad of cash

Their first suggestion is to get your

pri-orities straight Instead of thinking about

Creating an inexpensive in-home spa

is salve for the soul.

what’s for dinner, your kid’s soccer game, your parent’s health, or anything else, remember that a spa day is for you It’s your time to relax, slow down, breathe deeply and put yourself first

Next, stock your home spa with items that appeal to the five senses: taste, touch, smell, sight and sound

To accomplish that, you’ll need a few essentials on hand: a thick, plush robe and cushy slippers; a washcloth, a back

brush, and a loofah or other scrubber;

a pitcher of chilled spring water with lime or lemon and a fancy drinking glass;

a teapot for steeping green or white tea; your favorite CDs; cleansers, toners and moisturizers; coarse sea salt, body scrubs and pumice; fluffy hotel-style cot-ton towels; luxurious hair-care products;

a bath tray, a pillow and a cooling-gel eye mask; an aromatherapy diffuser and natural essential oils; self-massage tools;

home&garden 39

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With a gentle pull of the operating cord, you now have precise control of the light and view you choose to let

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40 home&garden

An aromatherapy diffuser

and natural essential oils are crucial for a home spa

Chromatherapy shower heads deliver a rainbow

of mood-altering colors

Meditative

music

soothes

the soul

Babassu bath and body oil provides a silky moisturizing experience

Soaking tubs made of rock add an earthy feel to luxury baths

a small bowl of fresh fruit and/or vegeta-bles and dip; naturally scented candles; fresh flowers

You may not use all these items on the same day, but you’ll be ready for different types of pampering, depending on the amount of time available for your in-home spa day

Seeing Is Relieving

When picturing the perfect spa retreat, most people envision themselves neck-deep in soapy suds, eyes clad in cucum-bers But what you see when your eyes are open matters, too

“Clear the clutter,” says Candis Ayers, spa director for St Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder Clothes on the floor and junk on the counters hamper a meditative mind-set Place a bouquet of fresh flowers (or

a well-done silk imitation) in your line of sight from the tub And don’t forget the mood-setting must: candles

Although some, like Ayers, prefer the real thing, battery-operated candles are increas-ingly popular in spas, says Mindy Terry, a nationally recognized spa consultant and president of Creative Spa Concepts

Here are a few ideas for an in-home spa

Simulated beeswax candles contain LEDs that create a safe and realistic flickering glow

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and mood-enhancers that can elevate your spa experience

Round, square or

rectangular rain showers

turn an ordinary shower

into a tactile sensation

Gourmet teas add a rejuvenating touch to spa time

SPA SPECIFICS