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LIVING SPACES 2014

Tricks and tips to reduce your energy consumption Choosing energy-efficient appliances can be a great way to conserve energy resources. Even though they may be more expensive at the time of purchase, they will work out to be less costly in the long run because of their lower energy consumption. For dishwashing

Never leave the tap running when washing dishes by hand. Use a basin of water in the sink instead. A dishwasher cycle is five times more economical than washing dishes by hand, but be careful to only start the dishwasher when it’s completely full. Use the “economy” cycle of the dishwasher; longer cycles consume about 40 percent more energy as well as more water. For the fridge

Position the fridge away from any sources of heat. Dust the ventilation grill behind the fridge once a year and defrost the freezer regularly. Five centimetres of frost doubles electricity consumption!

For cooking

When boiling water, always cover the pot. If you have an induction cooktop, use pots and pans designed for this purpose, which have a slightly larger diameter than the burner. Induction cooktops are more expensive at the time of purchase but are more economical to use. For laundry

Use cold water or water between 30 and 40 °C when doing laundry. This is just as efficient as hot water and uses half the amount of energy. Don’t forget to adjust the washer’s program to the economical cycle or a half-load when it isn’t full. For washing

Have a shower rather than a bath. You will use five times less water. Regulate the temperature of your water heater to between 55 and 60 °C. Any temperature higher than this will use too much energy, and can result in scalding too.

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 ■ 3

Energy Star: what is it? Green, environmental, eco-thisand-that: a multitude of symbols and certifications have made their appearance in the market in our quest to save energy. Energy Star is the most visible certification in Canada, thanks to the distinctive logo which appears on the materials, articles, and appliances that we purchase. But what does Energy Star mean exactly? Energy Star is an international symbol of energy efficiency, promoted and monitored within Canada by Natural Resources Canada. Let’s look at what an Energy Star window might mean, for example: More savings You can save up to 10 percent of your home heating costs if you replace all your windows with certified Energy Star models. More efficiency Certified Energy Star windows and doors are among the most energy efficient in their category. They are

20 to 40 percent more efficient than conventional models. More comfort The energy saving performance of these products is a guarantee of greater comfort: once again, in the example of windows, the reduction in condensation during cold weather and the filtration of ultraviolet rays ensure a better protection for your possessions against damage caused by the sun. More suitable The choice of a window that corresponds to the correct climate zone is highly recommended. In Canada, certified Energy Star doors and windows meet the precise requirements in energy efficiency for four climate zones (A, B, C or D). In essence, consumers can trust the Energy Star certification. In the era of non-renewable energy conservation, everyone can do their part for our beautiful planet; purchasing energy saving materials is a great start!

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4 ■ TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014

Going Green in the Garden good old sodium in whatever form. One of the main ingredients in every chemical fertilizer on the market. The manufacturers use sodium because it is a useful bonding agent in chemical solutions. Often we do not think about the science behind the product we purchase because we are focussed on the gorgeous flowers and vegetables on the label. And we want our flowers and tomato plants to be as beautiful and as productive as the picture. Anyone guess what the effects can be when there is a build up of too much salt in the soil... which does happen over time? (Properly called soil salinity, by the way.) Well...you may be surprised to know it will adversely affect the

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Leslie Cox growth of the plants... the very thing we are applying the chemical fertilizer for in the first place. Hmm. Let us dwell on that for a moment. Pesticides. We certainly need those to combat all the bugs in the garden. But did you know only five percent of the over one million identified insects in the world are harmful? That means ninetyfive percent of the bug species are either beneficial or cause no harm at all. So when we spray to kill the bugs in our garden, we are killing

SYRPHID FLY SPECIES EIGHT-SPOTTED SKIMMER the best workers we could employ. They do not demand a wage or special accommodations and they eat for free. What more could we ask for? But spray your plants with pesticides and you will wipe out all of your helpers. Those toxic sprays do not discriminate between good bugs and bad

bugs. And as one very good friend pointed out, “kill the bugs and you inherit their job in the garden”. No thanks. I have enough work to do in the garden as it is. Why make more? Sure. Chances are you will have some bug-related damage on some of the plants. But realistically, there could be way more damage. There is always a bit of a time lag before nature rights itself once again.

PhotoS by LESLIE COX

But rest assured...and always unbeknownst to us...the call to arms will be sent out and the troops will arrive in enough numbers to give the over-worked gardener a hand. So...a garden is the perfect example of where “going green” is the very essence of “sustainability”. We really cannot have one without the other. “Sustainability” means we are “going green”.

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Growing awareness of the forces behind why the climate is changing globally is what is driving the “go green” movement. This and “sustainability” are the catch phrases of the day. A perfect pairing because you cannot have one without the other. More to the point: one precludes the other. Take the garden for example. One cannot have a garden unless it is grown on the principles of sustainability. Uh, uh. Just won’t work. Oh sure. One can stock an arsenal of weapons such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides to be applied liberally about your landscape. But eventually, given a few years, things will become unbalanced. Salts, for instance...

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LIVING SPACES 2014

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 ■ 5

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Composting: it’s easy Being eco-responsible to get into the habit! is a way of life for

If you’re ready to take another step towards helping our environment, then composting is for you. This natural process transforms household organic matter — kitchen waste, leaves, and garden cuttings — into a rich soil called humus, or compost. Composting kitchen scraps is a great way to recycle and it is easy to do. It is an excellent way to reduce the amount of garbage produced by your household and it lets you garden in an eco-friendly manner when you use the compost as a fertilizing soil additive. What kinds of things can be composted? You can compost kitchen waste: fruits and vegetables; eggshells; teabags and coffee grounds; leftover bread, rice, pasta, legumes, and nutshells; grass cuttings;

dead leaves; plants; weeds; and old potting soil. How to compost You can compost your waste in a homemade or commercial composter. Choose a sunny spot that is accessible year round. Fork over the soil, position the composter, and cover the bottom with small branches to improve air circulation and drainage. The composting process will be more efficient if the organic matter is in small pieces. Weeds and waste can also be shredded. To accelerate the process, you can add garden soil or a commercial compost starter. Be sure to turn the pile regularly to improve aeration. There is no need to give up your good composting habits during the winter. The decomposing process won’t be as fast.

today’s families

Today’s children are the adults of tomorrow. That is why it is so important to educate them about good environmental values as early as possible. There is no shortage of ideas for making environmental responsibility a way of life, even for children. Apart from the mandatory three R’s (reduce at source, reuse, recycle), there are plenty of little gestures that can be fun and rewarding for the entire family. Toy exchanges : Organize a toy exchange among friends; everyone goes home with new playthings and nothing goes to the dump. Recycled art : Invite your children to create a work of art from a collection of such things as cardboard tubes, egg boxes, and aluminum cans. Composter : Build a composter with the children and use it to make compost from kitchen and garden waste. It is a great way to enrich the soil in your yard. Voluntary power outage : Plan a voluntary power outage, during which the children don’t use computers, video games, or watch TV. This is great for discovering “off-line” activities. Community cleanup : Plan a community cleanup day, where children can group together and choose a place to clean up, such as a park or part of the neighbourhood. Not only does this activity foster a sense of belonging, but it also lets children contribute to the enhancement of their surroundings. Green committee : Set up a green committee for children and help them meet on a regular basis. The members of this panel can work together to develop projects that involve making environmentally responsible choices for their homes or neighbourhood.

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LIVING SPACES 2014

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 ■ 7

Give me space! Creating a harmonious effect with the layout of a small room or cramped apartment isn’t always easy. Here are a few ideas that could help you create the illusion of more space. The light and airy look

First of all, for a small room to be visually pleasant, it is important to avoid overcrowding. Avoid large pieces of furniture or too much furniture. You should also avoid the temptation of displaying all your beloved treasures and collectibles, which can leave the room looking like a mess. Declutter and you`ll keep things dust-free and headache-free.

Use light colors

Always choose light colors if you want to give the illusion of more space. This also allows more natural light to enter the room. Ceilings should be painted in a color that reflects light. Mirror, mirror on the wall

Hanging a large mirror on the wall, or simply leaning it against the wall, instantly makes a room look bigger. It’s almost like magic!

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Set up an efficient storage system so you can put away all those little objects that only gather dust and fill up the space. For example, placing some pretty little baskets on your bookshelves can serve as a place to store things you use often. Opt for bedside tables and end tab les with drawers for storing books and documents.

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Multipurpose furniture can also help you free up some space. Try a sofa with drawers in the living room, a drop leaf table in the kitchen, a storage bench in the entrance hall, or a bed with storage compartments in the bedroom.

The wonderful world of grasses Landscaping specialists are unanimous in their opinion: ornamental grasses give yards a look of freedom and have an incomparable ability to play with natural light. Grasses bring a touch of lightness to landscapes with their gracious waving lines, and they contrast so wonderfully with other plants. They are also appreciated for the beauty of their flower heads and their overall look. There is no doubt that grasses are at their best in natural landscapes. However, they also lend themselves to many other types of settings. For example, you can plant them close to any colourful annuals as well as rose bushes. They will show each other off to advantage. Grasses remain spectacular right through the winter as well, so don’t make the mistake of cutting them back in the fall. They’ll be one of the wonders of your winter landscape, looking particularly splendid when covered in frost. So be sure to wait until the spring before pruning them. Grasses sold in pots at garden centres can be planted throughout the summer season. Don’t forget to respect spacing requirements, as some varieties need a lot of room. Most species like to be Long neglected by gardeners, ornamental grasses are increasingly popular.

divided every three or four years and are much more vigorous as a result. Ornamental grasses are generally easy to grow. Most species prefer full sun and adapt to nearly all types of soil; very few species are shade tolerant.

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Eight commandments to follow for a functional kitchen Remodelling a kitchen — now, there’s an ambitious project that has to be carefully planned down to the smallest of details. After all, you’re not going to do this again anytime soon! So, before you set to work on this exciting project, here are eight tips for creating a functional kitchen that will meet all your needs for years to come. 1. Aim for a user-friendly room: Make sure that all elements are close to hand. 2. Create well defined zones: Group elements together in five distinct activity zones (cooking, washing, storage, preparation, and daily provisions) to make your kitchen user-friendly. 3. Provide adequate storage: Plan sufficient storage room for everything so you can leave worktops free for what they’re supposed to be used for: working. 4. Build cupboards right to the ceiling: Full-sized cupboards mean lots more storage space and a lot less dusting. 5. More drawers: Exchange the lower cupboards for drawers, which give much easier access to their contents, including things hidden right at the back.

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Install oversized drawers for even the garbage, recycling, and compost. 6. Include a spacious work l surface: Be sure to plan a zone specifically for food preparation, ideally w n a kitchen island, and make certain that c it is big enough to spread out all the c ingredients of a recipe. 7. Build-in your appliances: Ca mouflage the microwave oven by building p o it into a cabinet or under the island. 8. Install well designed lighting: s Don’t skimp on light. Install lights in the s ceiling and under the cupboards, as p well as dimmers, which are perfect for changing the atmosphere at a moment’s r notice.

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LIVING SPACES 2014

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 ■ 9

Spray paint tips for flawless furniture updates

(NC) With the warmer weather, now is the ideal time to bring new life to home décor. Whether your outdoor items are looking worn and weathered… or your indoor spaces need a pop of colour… spray paint is the perfect solution. To ensure your furniture update goes flawlessly, follow these few tips from the experts at Krylon, the nation’s leader in spray paint. Prep Properly: Surface preparation is extremely important and the best predictor of how long your finish will last. The goal is to make your surface as smooth as possible to ensure the new paint adheres well. Remove any loose rust or paint by lightly sanding. Next, clean surfaces with soap and water or degreaser, if necessary. Rinse and let your surface dry completely. Your surface should now be clean, dull and dry. To Prime or Not to Prime: Primer prepares bare metal, wood, canvas or other materials to create a smooth surface for paint. It also seals the surface to help smoothen out blemishes, increase spray paint adhesion and improve corrosion resistance. While priming is a critical step, research

shows that consumers only use a primer 50 percent of the time. For high-quality results with fewer steps, look for a product that says no priming is required. Choosing the Right Product: It is important to choose the product that meets the needs for your substrate – as well as your style. Metal: For metal surfaces – especially those that are exposed to outdoor elements – it is important to choose a product that provides rust protection. “Many products that claim rust protection only work when used with an additional primer,” says Patterson. “Using a combination product, such as Dual Superbond Paint + Primer ensures that all surfaces will achieve superior rust protection without a multi-step process.” Wood: Choosing the best spray paint for wood is dependent on the finish, use and location of your surface. A general purpose spray paint, such as Krylon ColorMaster, is an ideal choice for wood. This new product offers the widest colour selection with nearly 70 colours and finishes. Spraying Specifics: Before you spray, shake your can for about two minutes. Next, hold the can 6 to 8 inches away from the surface and use several

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Commercial and residential property owners connected to the Comox Valley water system are eligible for a $300 rebate on the purchase of a qualifying smart irrigation controller. These controllers adjust the watering schedule according to the weather, reducing water use. iff

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thin coats of spray paint instead of one thick coat. Begin and finish your spray pattern off the object using an even sideto-side motion, releasing the tip at the end of each pass. Try to overlap your spray pattern by about one-third with each pass. As you prepare to paint new life into your home décor, these few tips and tricks will ensure your project is painless and pretty… for years to come. For more painting tips or information on Krylon products, visit www.krylon.ca.

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Property owners in the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox and the Arden, Comox Valley, England Road, Marsden/Camco, and Greaves Crescent water local service areas are eligible for these rebates. For further details on eligibility requirements, qualifying hardware and frequently asked questions about the program Follow comoxvalleyrd visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/smartcontrol.

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1 0 ■ TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014

Over the past few years, heat waves seem to be occurring more and more frequently in some areas. The suitability of many plants is being severely tested because of these changing weather patterns. When they are just barely surviving, they no longer add to the beauty of a backyard. If they are not droughtbrown, then their foliage is sparse and unattractive. That is because in hot, dry conditions, plant leaves grow much more slowly, or even stop growing completely, and very few flowers develop. Many gardeners be come discouraged when they have to contend with chaotic weather conditions at different times of the year. Fortunately, however, garden centres are adapting their stock to the

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new weather patterns and are able to suggest plants that require very little water. To create sustainable flower beds, choose plants that are more resistant to long, hot, sunny days,

wind, and drought. But don’t forget: no plant can grow without water! To help you become a savvy gardener, here are a few suggestions for plants that can tolerate drought conditions. • Annuals: begonias, gaura, lantana, geranium, and purpletop verbena. • Perennials: yarrow, co reopsis, iris, lavender, Russian sage, cinquefoil, scabiosa, hens and chi cks, and yucca. • Grasses: fescue, pearl millet, and blue oat grass. • Shrubs: Red barberry, buddleia, euonymus, physocarpus, Japanese rose, spirea, and weigela. • Trees: Amur maple, servi ceberry, red oak, and Japanese tree lilac. • Evergreens: juniper, Russian arborvitae, Colorado spruce, and pine.

9 ways to improve curb appeal

Homeowners who want their homes to make strong first impressions must prioritize curb appeal. Homes with strong curb appeal sell well and can impart a welcoming feel to all visitors. Improving curb appeal need not be expensive, and the following are a handful of ways to improve the appearance of your home. 1. Install a bold-looking door in a vibrant color or one with a custom design. This helps the home stand out from other properties in the neighborhood. 2. Edge the driveway to create a distinct border between the driveway and the lawn or other

landscaping features. This helps homes appear neat and well kept. 3. Use outdoor lighting to make a home more inviting. Outdoor lighting also makes properties safer to traverse at night. 4. Clean a home’s exterior to remove mildew or discolorations from the siding, driveway, patio, and other outdoor elements. 5. Improve landscapes with fresh plants and seasonal color. Homeowners without the time to plant can consider container gardens, which don’t take much time to assemble but still add appeal to a home’s exterior. 6. Prune planting beds and add new mulch to restore color. 7. Add shutters and accent trim to a home’s exterior to improve on the beauty of the house. 8. Install new fencing or give a fresh coat of paint or stain to an existing fence. 9. Replace concrete paths with tile or stone walkways to make entryways more impressive and inviting.

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