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Indianapolis Home Show vendors offer cold weather advice

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The 2019 Indianapolis Home Show is wrapping up this weekend.

The 10-day event runs through Sunday at the State Fairgrounds. 

Vendors at the show talked to News 8 about some of the hottest home upgrades this winter.  

The Indianapolis Home Show features more than 900 experts showing off this year’s best new home upgrades and ways to cut down on bills.

“It’s very important right now. Our furnaces are running a lot,” said Roy Rogers Feltner of Roy Rogers Heating and Air. He said people coming by his booth often forget to check their heat pumps to make sure they are still running in their all-electric homes.

“When do they find out? Soon as they get their first electric bill. It might be $300, $400, $500. And then they go, ‘Whoa what happened?’” Feltner said. 

But distractions can get in the way of people changing out their air filters, too.

“I don’t blame them because, you know, sometimes that just happens. You’re gonna forget. You must change your filter to keep your utilities down,” Feltner said.

Don Harr at Elbert Roofing said getting the right window material could have another major impact on your heating bill.

“Well, over time it could save, I’m sure, hundreds or even thousands of dollars,” said Harr.

And that is how much you could pay if you don’t keep an eye on shingle material and maintenance during a brutal winter.

“One of the major problems we have in the winter is ice damming. It actually causes the water and snow to push up under the shingles and leak in the home,” Harr said. 

But interior design aficionados, have no fear. If you do get a leak, the water at least won’t damage your Wicker Works cushions.

“They’re some brilliant fabrics so they don’t fade. Pillows are also outdoor fabrics, so you don’t have to worry when the kids throw them around. You can always throw them in the washing machine and clean them up,” said Dianne Shrack with Wicker Works.

The home show is open until 9 p.m. Saturday and then 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $3 for kids 6-12.