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Lowes winter
season guide for homeowners: (http://Lowes.com)
Attic/crawlspace - As a general rule, if a home has less
than 11 to 12 inches of insulation in the attic or
crawlspace, it could probably use more. Use batt or blown
insulation for best results. Check with a Lowe's expert to
determine the proper R-value of insulation for your home.
Water heater and hot water pipes - Conserve heat and energy
by swaddling your water heater with an insulation blanket
kit or faced fiberglass insulation. Insulate hot water pipes
with preformed foam pipe insulation sleeves if they pass
through an unheated area or run under your home.
Seal leaks, cracks, openings in the home
Windows - Remove screens and
install storm windows.
Fireplace - Make sure the damper closes as tightly as
possible when a fire is not burning to minimize heat loss.
Draft-prone areas - Zip up your home's winter coat by
caulking, sealing and weatherstripping around all seams,
cracks and openings. Pay special attention around windows
and where siding or bricks and wood trim meet. Seal areas
near electrical boxes and plumbing penetrations as well.
Ductwork - Look for cracks or air leaks in ductwork and use
duct tape to seal them.
Improve indoor air quality
Furnace filters - Change forced air heating system air
filters monthly. Make a clean break into winter with a fresh
filter instead of using last year's used goods.
Air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators - Regularly
dusting off these heat sources will improve the energy
efficiency of your home.
Ceiling fans - To save energy during colder weather,
activate the reverse setting on your ceiling fans to
circulate hot air that rises to the ceiling and blow it back
down.
Maintain your lawn and garden
Cool-season grasses - Fertilize grasses such as ryegrass,
fescue, and bluegrass in or before early November.
Bulbs - Plant hardy bulbs in milder climates in the earlier
part of November.
Vegetable and perennial beds - Clean and prepare beds for
next season's planting.
Leaves - Rake and remove leaves left on the lawn to
discourage disease.
Push mower, outdoor power equipment - Perform annual
maintenance before storing.
Lawn and garden equipment, patio furniture - Store to avoid
harsh winter elements.
Hoses, outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems - Drain before
season's first freeze.
Bird feeders - Regularly clean and refill feeders for
winter's feathered friends.
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