Sidewalk Ice Melter

Work now on that winter checklist

The hot, hazy days of summer are a perfect time to start preparing for winter.

Many must-do projects – such as caulking, cleaning gutters, adding insulation or preparing emergency kits – will make your home more energy-efficient, help prevent weather damage and make things easier should the power go out.

“It is never too early to save energy and save money at home,” says Joelle Terry, spokesperson for the Energy Department.

“Whether it’s choosing energy-efficient products, sealing air and duct leaks, or adding insulation, American households could save over 20 percent on their household energy bills by making energy upgrades to their homes.”

To start, the department advises people to get an energy audit of their home or do one themselves “to find out where you are losing energy – and money.”

Check with your utility company; some offer free or low-cost energy audits.

An energy audit can help determine if, for example, you have enough insulation, or whether there are leaks around windows or elsewhere that should be sealed.

Many winterizing projects, like caulking, can be done by the homeowner; others, such as checking the heating system, usually require a professional.

Here’s a look, alphabetically, at some things experts recommend doing to prepare for winter:

Air leaks: “Checking for any kind of air leaks is a prime project for this time of year,” says Kit Selzer, senior remodeling and projects editor at Better Homes and Gardens. Caulk can be used to seal leaks around doors or windows, or around pipes or ductwork. “Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on walls,” the Energy Department advises. Weather-stripping can be placed at the bottom of a door or in a window sash to help produce a seal. There are many different types, from felt to vinyl and metal. A professional can advise what is best in each case.

Keep It Green KIG40 Snow and Ice Melter, 40-Pound Bucket | Snow ...

We have had a nasty winter in the South East. That usually means melting during the day and freezing during the night that creates a hockey rink affect on the sidewalks. The Keep it Green Snow and Ice Melter kept the side walk and cement steps in front of my home from being danger points for slip and falls. This product was very, very useful this winter.

I like the concept of this product – better for the environment & pets. I live in a dog friendly neighborhood and have a dog of my own & the other pet friendly deicers cost way to much. This product isn’t the cheapest, but should get me through most the winter in NY I hope. If not, I will probably refill the bucket with the cheap stuff to get through till april… This product seemed to work well until 0F before slowing reaction with ice/snow. Overall, not a bad product, just a bit costly for 40lbs. (I would never purchase this online if I did not have the free shipping option).

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