11-16-06 - Jonathan and Lisanne braved the cold this morning to show you how to protect your sprinkler system so can use it again next year.

Tips of the week: Is your home a little drafty? It's time to winterize to hold in the heat and keep out the cold. Combat this problem by adding weather stripping and caulking, but first find the source of the heat loss with the following tips:

Place a dollar bill between the door and the jamb or the window sash and sill . With the door or window closed, attempt to remove the bill. If it slides out easily , you're losing energy.

Shine a flashlight around the edges of all entry doors. If you see light from the other side, energy is being lost.

Pass a moist hand (this makes it more sensitive) around the edge of doors and windows. Wherever there is a draft is where energy is being lost. This test is best done on cold windy days. Or hold a tissue up next to the window to see if incoming air causes it to move.

Test the air lock of doors by opening and closing them. A tight-fitting door will resist closing because trapped air compresses rather than escapes. The harder to close, the better.

Once done testing, begin to solve the problem by adding weather stripping or caulking . Visit a local home center store for foam strips, metal flashing, thresholds and draft snakes that keep winter chills out.