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Show Cross Currents Page 22 April 4, 1997 Skylights great for light, heat, and cooling By James Dulley VTith hand-hel- d remote controls, new by sliding back over the roof in tracks. Q: My brother just installed a skylight in his living room, and it makes the room skylights are as easy to operate as TV's. The ViTien it is opened, there is a totally unobseem larger and more open. have seen so control operates a small motor to open or structed screened view of the skv. Other designs pivot in the many skylight designs at home centers; close the skylight, for easy cleanis center what shades or and what are the newest features, indoors. from blinds best? H. B. ing It is A: Adding a skylight reduces the need below it. Install a important to select the proper sie for electric lights while providing summer rain sensor to autofor sour room. An ventilation and free solar heat in the win- matically close it if it skv light undersized while are frames ter. New you provide more storms docs not provide glass area, yet still fir neatly between the away from home. One new skyrafters. enough light, a nd an oversized one There are many new skylight designs, light design doubles make a On as them that more and features may look odd and balcony. shapes excessive cause attractive, efficient and durable. Pyramid, steeply pitched As a rough round and multifaceted shapes are roofs, like on a glare. the divide remodeled estimate, Bv a attic, simple lightwell building unique. room square footage from the roof to the ceiling, a skylight can upper and lower sections by 23 to get the skyeasily be installed in a room with an attic skylight above it. out. The light size in square pivot feet. Although a venting skylight costs about lower half is posiDo not near the 25 percent more than a fixed design, it is tioned just choose the is and it overall. best If floor, cheapest option your budget your balone on sale. Check very tight, select a fixed design with just a becomes the the frame design and venting edge (only $30 more). A narrow cony with a railing. vent is located under the top frame edge. It The upper half pivots out from the top materials and the quality of the flashing. can be opened even in the rain without and covers it. Copper flashing is attractive and durable. There are many glazing options that Another unique venting skylight opens leaks. 1 mini-veneii- low-profi- le effect the efficiency and the view, and block furniture fading. Double pane low-- c glass with argon gas is a good overall choice. This is what I have in my family room skylight. For very cold climates choose triple pane or Heat Mirror. Choose tinted glass in hot climates. Write for Update Bulletin No. 918 ao a buyers guide of 16 skylights listing frame materials, shapes, flashing and glazing options, features, prices, sizing chart and lightwell construction details. Please include $2 and a business-siza- r stamped, envelope. Send it to James Dulley, Cross Currents, 6906 Rovalgrccn Dr., Cincinnati OH 45244. To rush delivery or read 150 previous columns: www.dullcy.com. refrigerQ: I have a fairly new frost-fre- e ator. If I do not use the ice cubes quickly, they disappear. How' does the ice evaporate, and is there something wrong with the freezer section? -- - A.G. A: The ice docs not evaporate. A little of st it melts during each cycle. Over time the ice cubes melt and are gone. Most people generally use the ice cubes long self-defro- before they disappear. If they disappear too fast, it may indicate a problem with the system. It may be getting too hot, running too long or often. This wastes electricity. Have it checked by a qualified serviceman. (James Dulley bolds an M.BA. in industrial management from the University of Cincinnati and is a doctoral candidate in self-defro- 1Jolimteerd technology at Harvard University. The Sensible Home " column is copyrighted and distributed by Starcott Media Services of (jive the (Jime of Cincinnati.) eir cLivei Volunteers are special people who give their time and love because they care about others. Southwest Memorial Hospital would like to take this opportunity to thank those special people who volunteer their time to help make life better for those around them. Yjational XJolunteer WJeeh Southwest Memorial Hospital 1311 N. Mildred Rd., Cortez, Colorado 81321 (970) 565-6666 st id j4prif 1 3til - 9 tli |