UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, September 11, 1996
3A
Sealing homes against cold can save money on bills
Winterizing takes a few new supplies and a little cash
By Ashlee Roll Kansan staff writer
The onslaught of winter weather brings inconvenience, but there are ways to prepare for it. Winterizing your home can save you money. Winterizing your car can save your money and your life.
"People do increase materials for winter," said Gary Fulkerson, manager of Roach True Value Hardware, 1811 W. Sixth St. "They use caulk, weather stripping and plastic sheeting."
Winterizing a home can be inexpensive, quick and easy. The majority of items used to insulate an apartment or house are cheaper than letting winter have its way.
According to Kansas Power & Light, 333 W. Ninth St., heating and cooling account for 60 percent of every dollar that is spent on homes.
Heat-shrinking film can be used to insulate windows in winter. "The cost depends," said Fulkerson, "but heat-shrinking film that is used to cover windows costs about $20 to $25."
The plastic film is taped to the frame of the window. Then heat is applied, usually with a hair dryer, and the film shrinks to form a barrier against cold drafts.
Other suggestions KPL have for saving money include keeping air filters clean to allow a smooth air flow. This will keep heating systems from working too hard and reduce the size of heating bills.
Weather stripping is added insulation for doors and windows. It helps prevent cold air from coming in and hot air from escaping, and it works best on places that encounter no friction, such as windows.
Keeping the thermostat at a low temperature also will save money. In winter, according to KPL, the most energy-efficient temperature is 68 degrees. For every degree the thermostat is lowered, 3 percent to 5 percent is saved on bills.
Fulkerson said the cost of weather stripping was ranged from $1 to $5.
A free video tape on how to make your home more energy efficient is available from KPL.
Cars need attention in the winter, too. Dale Biggers, shop manager at University 66 Service, 2434 Iowa St., said it was important to prepare cars for winter months.
Bigger's said that cars should have a tune-up for winter because the engine labors a lot harder and causes oil to thicken. For this reason, he also suggests an oil change.
"I suggest no later than the end of October," he said.
"Tires also need to be checked," Biggers said. "If they are not in good condition, they need to be replaced."
makes also need to be in good working condition.
But the most important thing to check on a car before winter strikes is the antifreeze.
"If it's winter and you have a bad brake that will give out or lock up, you could slide and have a bad accident." Biggers said.
To check antifreeze, Biggers said, a hydrometer can be bought at many parts stores. Dip the hydrometer into the radiator to check the level of antifreeze. The meter has colored balls that will indicate the antifreeze level and the amount that is needed. Antifreeze should protect cars in temperatures of 30 degrees below zero.
"Out here it is rare that we hit those temperatures, but it's better to be safe," Biggers said.
Another recommendation is special winter windshield wipers that will keep ice from building up on the blades. Blades cost about $18 each.
Phil Robinson, Jiffy Lube employee at 914 W. 23rd St., fills the oil of a customers engine during an oil change. Changing a car's oil is a good tool for winterizing a car.
Chris Hamilton/KANSAN
Students' energy lowers with thought
By Dave Breitenstein Kansan staff writer
Students are always looking for ways to earn money. Instead, they could be looking for ways not to throw money down the drain.
Saving on water, electric and gas bills add up for students and the environment, said Victoria Silva, University of Kansas environmental specialist.
"There are many things students can do to save money," she said. "One big thing is saving water."
in this part of the country, we will see the cost of water go up," she said. "The public is demanding a higher quality of water, so more money must be spent to treat the water."
Silva suggested putting a small milk jug or a brick in the toilet tank so people flush less water. Also, installing flow restricters in the shower head will waste less water. She said students might not think it mattered now to save water, but they will soon.
Silva said electric bills could be reduced by making a few changes.
"Installing low wattage light bulbs or fluorescent lights saves electricity," she said. "The initial cost of a low watt bulb may be more, but it lasts longer and uses less energy than other bulbs."
Silva said students should lower the air conditioner's temperature when leaving the residence and shut off lights when out of the room. Students can also air dry their clothing, saving money and energy.
Traveling to campus provides another opportunity to save energy and money. Silva said car pooling, walking, bicycling and taking the bus saved students money in transportation costs.
"I rarely see more than one student in a car," she said.
Mike Russell, director of the department of environmental health and safety, suggested doing laundry
Saving energy
Put displacement device in toilet tank
install low-flow shower heads
- Install low-flow shower heads
- Car pool, walk, bike, or take the bus to class
- Turn off lights when you leave the room
Turn down air conditioner or heater when away from residence
Put weather stripping around windows and doors
Use low wattage or fluorescent light bulbs
Keep hot water heater at a reasonable temperature
Use oven for cooking more than just one item
Block sunlight from entering room with window shades
Close vents in rooms that are not used
at night because power companies charge higher rates when there is an overload of daytime users.
He also said to block the warm sunlight from entering windows by leaving the window shades down during hot weather. But pulling the shades up during the winter allows sunlight to warm the room and reduces heating bills.
James Malicoat, Kansas City, Mo. senior, said he did a lot to save energy costs.
He said he and his roommate usually spent between $50 and $70 per month on electricity. He said he caught himself worrying about energy costs several times.
"When I leave, I only let the outside light on," he said. "I set the air conditioner at one temperature because it takes less energy than if I keep readjusting it."
"My parents used to nag me about leaving the light on when I left my bedroom, and now I always turn the light off since I'm the one paying the bills."
Student Senate meets tonight to talk finances
Preserving campus jobs for students also to be an issue
By Spencer Duncan
Kansan staff writer
In its first official fall meeting tonight, the University of Kansas Student Senate will debate issues ranging from financing the Pre-Dental club to supporting the protection of student jobs.
At 7 tonight in the Big 12 Room at the Kansas Union, Senate will call to order the first meeting where legislative decisions will be made.
Everyone has been waiting for this first meeting, said Ashleigh de la Torre, legislative director.
"There has been a lot of preparation, and everyone is anxious to get started," she said.
Senate will debate five pieces of legislation.
Two initiatives deal with University policy issues, and the other three are financing bills.
Grey Montgomery, student body president, is sponsoring a bill that would create a student environmental advisory board.
would recommend ways to improve pollution prevention, recycling and other concerns.
The 17-member board would consist of students and faculty. It
It is Montgomery's first piece of legislation as president.
"This is something the campus needs," Montgomery said. "If this is an issue that we are to deal with seriously, then this is a step we need to take."
Another resolution to be considered would support the protection of campus student employment, written by holdover senator Jeff Stowell.
The resolution expresses Senate's support of student campus employees working in jobs that could be threatened by the minimum wage increase. The resolution urges Chancellor Robert Hemenway to ensure student job security.
"It's a sensitive issue," Stowell said. "It's an opportunity to tell the administration that they have said they will support campus jobs, and we are making sure of that."
The Pre-Dental club, Ballroom Dancing Club and the Spring 1996 American Red Cross Blood Drive are requesting funds.
The Ballroom Dancing Club will request $515, and the Blood Drive will request for $1,067.50. Pre-Dental Club is asking Senate for $291.60.
More employee benefits is GTA's contract goal
University and union poised to gain from successful negotiation
By Eric Weslander Kansan staff writer
The Graduate Teaching Assistant union is ready to get back to basics.
After almost a year of controversy surrounding a 5.5 percent pay raise given to faculty members but not to GTAs, Richard Buck, chairman of the GTA negotiating committee, said it was time to focus on the union's original purpose: to negotiate a general contract with the University.
GTA union and University representatives met yesterday to discuss the ground rules for contract negotiations, which will begin this semester. Buck said a contract always had been the main goal of the GTA union.
"Part of it will be assurance that we're not going to be denied a pay raise in the future," Buck said. "We want to nail down the basics of our working conditions."
Buck said the union's desired working conditions were:
A yearly pay raise for GTAs
Health insurance as an employee benefit
■ Preservation of GTA tuition waivers
Increased sick-leave benefits
"This is what we've been working for for years," Buck said. "The question is whether the people sitting across the table will accept this."
Buck said a contract would benefit the University because GTAs would be content and could focus on teaching rather than financial problems.
Tom Hutton, director of University Relations, said the University would work for an agreement that would be in the best interest of students, GTAs and the University.
"I think both parties are ready to get over the haggling and say, 'Let's sit down, let's be busy,'" Hutton said.
In the spring, the GTA union went through grievance procedures against the University, saying that the University's decision to deny them a raise was retaliation for the formation of the GTA union.
The University said that when the state had voted on the pay increase, there had been a specific mandate that excluded GTAs.
Both sides were heard before a state committee in Topeka. This summer, the state ruled that the hearings essentially did not occur because no member of the Kansas Department of Administration was present. A representative of the state Department of Administration will be present at contract negotiations.
ON THE RECORD
A KU student's front door lock, window screen, and door jam were damaged in an attempted aggravated burglary between 2 and 10 a.m. Saturday at a home in the 500 block of California Street, Lawrence police said. The damage was estimated at $130.
A KU student's glass window was broken between 2:30 and 8:30 a.m. Sunday at a home in
the 1000 block of Illinois, Lawrence police said. The damage was estimated at $50.
A KU student's wallet was stolen between 1 and 1:30 a.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of Stewart Avenue, Lawrence police said. The items were valued at $25.
A KU student's mountain bike was stolen between 8 p. Friday and 8 p. Sunday from
a bike rack on the west side of Grace Pearson Hall, KU police said. The bike was valued at $804.
A copier, computer, speakers, sunglasses and other items were stolen between 5 p.m. Friday and 7:15 p.m. Sunday from a fraternity in the 1000 block of Emery Road, Lawrence police said. The items were valued at $5529.