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Homeowner Benefits? - These are the potential benefits that a typical homeowner will realize by following the tips or by installing the home-related products that are discussed in this column.
411 - Attic foil
blocks heat and improves comfort
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 20 manufacturers of
do-it-yourself attic foil, heat-blocking attic paint, ridge vent kits, prices
and installation instructions for a radiant barrier, installation instructions
for a roll-out shingle over a ridge vent, safety tips for installing an attic
radiant barrier system, sizing chart for area of foil needed.
Homeowner Benefits: Increase comfort inside house, reduce
air-conditioning costs
457 - New
decorative screen/storm doors for saving, comfort, security
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the nine best, most secure
screen/storm doors listing styles available, construction type and materials
used, core/insulation levels, standard colors and hardware (locks, handles,
hinges, etc.) available, unique features including type of glass used, prices
and illustrations of many styles, guide to measuring for a storm door.
Homeowner Benefits: Protect primary door, greater security, ventilation,
lower utility bills
458 - Air-condition
your house while heating your water for free
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of comfort/efficiency devices -
heat pump water heaters, whole-house geothermal/desuperheater units,
dehumidifying heat pipes (with or without blowers), and other cooling/comfort
devices, payback/savings tables and water heating efficiency tips.
Homeowner Benefits: Lower water heating bills, additional free house
cooling in summer
486 - Register/duct
booster fans improve year-round comfort, savings
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 14 automatic register and
duct booster fan, filter and decorator register manufacturers listing design
types, dimensions of the units, fan air flow ratings, electricity usage,
features describing automatic and special controls, decorative finishes
(registers only), illustrations of many units, and prices.
Homeowner Benefits: Boost cooling output to a hot room (summer) or heat
to a chilly room (winter), more attractive registers
493 - Decorative
ceiling fans for style, comfort and savings
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 manufacturers of
high-quality, standard and air cleaner ceiling fans listing unique and unusal
styles, blade pitch, blade size, blade finishes and colors, speed range (rpm),
controls (hand-held or wall-mount), features, many illustrations and features
of selected models, a chart showing recommended fan sizes and temperatures for
various rooms.
Homeowner Benefits: Improve indoor comfort year-round, lower utility
bills, attractive appearance
621 - Install
tight-sealing dryer vent kit for savings, reduce indoor pests
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the11 best-sealing dryer
vent kits with brief description, installation instructions for the floating
cap dryer vent, clothes washing and drying efficiency tips: electronic insect
and rodent repellers, types (portable, plug-in, light trap), maximum coverage
areas, product details and illustrations.
Homeowner Benefits:Keeps out bugs, drafts and allergens, saves energy
641 - Whole-house
fans cool house quietly and inexpensively, easy to install
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of eight whole-house fan
manufacturers (28 models) listing blade diameters, maximum air flows, rpms,
drive types (direct or belt drive), features, prices, suggested operation of a
whole-house ventilation fan, and do-it-yourself installation instructions with
a diagram, illustrations, diagram and explanation of how whole-house fan draws
in cool air and expels hot air.
Homeowner Benefits: Lower electric bills, greater comfort, fresh air in
home
673 - New
fixed/vented skylights are stylish, efficient with remote controls
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 skylight manufacturers
listing frame materials (vinyl clad, aluminum clad, fiberglass, vinyl,
aluminum), shapes with illustrations (rectagular, square, dome, custom shapes,
diamond-shaped, etc.), flashing and glazing options, accessories available,
features, prices, sizing chart, illustrations of several models and
instructions for making a skylight lightwell.
Homeowner Benefits: Much more natural light, rooms appear larger, view
of the sky and stars, lower electric bills
813 - Retractable
screen kits (doors/windows) are attractive, convenient
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 12 add-on retractable
door/window screening kit and special screening (heat/sun control,
pet-resistant, etc.) manufacturers showing types, door sizes, colors, features,
prices, and descriptive illustrations showing components of retractable screen
kits, add-on porch and garage door screening kits.
Homeowner Benefits: add screening to door for ventilation, more durable
screening, reduce heat in summer
877 - Super-quiet
bathroom vent fan/lights have most efficient features
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the11 most-quiet,
full-featured bathroom vent fan/lights showing air flow ratings, sound level
ratings, lighting options, various automatic sensor options, other features,
sample installation instructions, illustrations of many of the models and a
recommended sizing chart.
Homeowner Benefits: Quiet operation, vent bathroom efficiently,
convenient automatic features
914 - New range
hoods are decorative, quiet and efficient
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of six quiet/efficient range
vent hood manufacturers (18 models) listing styles (canopy, tilt-out,
slide-out, island) updraft or downdraft types, sizes, noise levels listed in
sones, widths available, speeds, air flows, features, cooking efficiency tips,
illustrations and descriptions of various models
Homeowner Benefits: Less noise, improved air quality, fewer odors,
stylish appearance
987 - New
solar-powered attic fans keep house cooler for free
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 solar-powered attic vent
fan and turbine fan manufacturers listing air flow ratings, watts, sizes,
features, prices, sizing chart for number of fans required per square foot of
attic, installation methods with illustrations, and descriptions/illustrations
of various models.
Homeowner Benefits: Block heat from hot roof, reduce air-conditioning
costs
993 - Whole-house
heat recovery ventilators bring in fresh air
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 13 whole-house and HRV and
ERV manufacturers listing model numbers, air flow rate ranges, energy transfer
efficiency ratings, type of heat exchanger design (enthalpic or just
heat/cool), electric power consumption, unique features, prices, illustrations
of models and a chart of common indoor air contaminants/problems.
Homeowner Benefits: Bring fresh air into home efficiently, control
indoor humidity