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Welcome to our first DK Sports and Party Center Newsletter. We thought it might be nice to keep in contact with you and the happenings at DK Sports and Party Center.
Need a warm space to have a class? Think of DK Sports and Party Center as your solution. We have affordable hourly rates that include all utilities. Just Call (440) 297 2234 for more information. |
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10 Things To Do that will Make Your Home Happy in Winter |
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Brrrrr! It’s getting cold outside! Winter is here!
So before you curl up with a warm mug of hot cocoa, check these 10 things to get your home ready to handle the winter so it can keep you and your loved ones safe.
1) Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Heating causes 27% of structure fires during the winter months… Yikes! So it’s worth a quick test to make sure your detectors are working well!
2) Check for Air Leaks
Is that a breeze you feel?? Check for air coming into your house around windows and doors, including cracks in caulking or weatherstripping. If you need to, replace caulk and weatherstripping to keep your home sealed up from the winter cold (and save you money).
3) Clockwise Ceiling Fans
Warm air rises so using your ceiling fans to push it back down is an easy way to make your home warm and cozy! You’ll want your fan blades to run clockwise to push the air down so take a look and see which way they’re running. If they are running counter-clockwise, look for a switch that will change the direction.
4) Flush Your Hot Water Tank
Sediment builds up in hot water tanks so take a minute to flush it out (your manual should have instructions). Flushing the tank will reduce buildup and extend the life of your water heater.
5) Insulate Your Hot Water Tank
While you're flushing your hot water tank, touch it. Is it warm? Then it’s time to insulate it. Insulating your water heater can cut standby heat losses by 25-45%, saving your 7-16% annually on your water heating bill. Call your utility company an check they install them at no cost. If they don’t, no worries, it’s an easy DIY project.
6) Prepare Your Air Conditioner(s)
If you have window units, remove them so you can shut out the cold with your window. If you can’t remove the air conditioner, close the vents and cover it.
If you have an outside unit, clean the blades and coils of any debris by using a hose with a spray-head set to a high-pressure place. Then place a board with a weight on top of it to protect it from winter weather and debris.
7) Program Your Thermostat
Lowering the thermostat by 10-15 degrees is simpler than calling Geico to save you 10-15% on heating costs. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, call your heating people or you can probably do it yourself.
8) Clean the Gutters
Leaves and stuff in your gutters make it much easier for water to back up, causing leaks and damage. No one wants to deal with that in the middle of winter so take some time now to clean them or have them cleaned by a pro.
9) Protect Your Plumbing
Check around your house for exposed pipes in places that are insulated, like your crawl space, attic, outside walls, etc. If you see exposed pipes, make sure to protect them with electrical heating tape and foam insulation. Then, disconnect your water hoses from outside faucets and drain them. Cover the outdoor faucet with a hose bib and you’re all set. If you have a lawn irrigation system, have it drained.
10) Give Your House a Once Over
Do a walk around your house to check on any other winter prep that you should do. If you have a deck, clean and cover your patio furniture. If you have a pool, close it for the winter. Take a good look around and take care of anything you see that needs addressing.
Whew! Doesn’t that feel good? Now that cocoa tastes so much better! While you’re looking around, come celebrate a birthday at DK Sports and Party Center. Give us a call at (440) 297 2234.
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Copyright DK Sports and Party Center 2018 (440) 297 2234
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