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It's way too cold to go without proper winter attire. |
| By Julie Lawrence OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Julie Lawrence |
| Published Jan. 14, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. |
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As a new homeowner, the cost of winterizing and otherwise maintaining a warm house came as something of a surprise to me as the season struck with great force this past December.
We bought a classic "fixer-upper" in Walker's Point and while the price was right at the time, we've since spent the last three months doing all we can to make this big, old house a nice, cozy place to live.
Just last week we received the new windows we'd ordered back in October and while they are wonderfully efficient, we could only afford to replace a third of the home's total. The rest we've caulked and enclosed in plastic sheets. We've completely sealed off the back door and a large bedroom upstairs. Plus, we've added insulation to the previously water-damaged walls we've replaced.
And still, my house is cold. When the outside temperature hovers around the single digits -- sometimes even into the 20s -- it's nearly impossible to retain warmth in a large drafty house.
But, moving to the neighborhood I did has given me a different perspective about what it means to be cold. Just two blocks away from my house is the Hope House, a local emergency and transitional living facility and community center at 209 W. Orchard St. Since the late '80s it has provided a temporary refuge for people needing a place to sleep and when we experience winters like this, places like the Hope House are more important than ever.
I just discovered that the Braeger Automotive Group donated a supply of winter clothing, which is available to those in need on a first-come, first-served basis. They have the following items:
"Despite our cold business climate Braeger Automotive Group believes we all have an obligation to contribute to the warm-hearted spirit of generosity for which this city is known," says Todd Reardon, president of Braeger. "We at Braeger are fortunate to remain in a position where we can contribute to the well-being of this community, and it is both a pleasure and our responsibility to do so."
The Hope House provides outreach and educational services to help curb homelessness and accepts volunteers and donations.
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2 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Posted by kinnickinnic on Jan. 20, 2009 at 4:26 a.m. (report)
I have actually put fiberglass attic insulation, in white plastic garbage bags. And squeezed this into the lower 1/2 of double hung windows on the north side of my house. Also , I have bought very thick full legth curtains for all windows, to close at night.
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Posted by brunocarlson on Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. (report)
I too bought a house in late summer/early fall. It is a fixer upper as well and have had to insulate everywhere. I used the expanda-foam for any open spots in the foundation of the basement, layed insulation to the attic, insulation to any exterior wall that I have slowly repaired and replaced windows in essential areas (maaster bedroom, living room, bathrooms) and sealed the rest with caulk and plastic. Still witha ll these precautions it is still cold. I have also done everythign possible to not crank the heat on my non-efficient furnace. All I can now tell myself is to hang on, spring is only a few months away. Good luck with yours though and hang in there.
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