It’s the time of year when we are forced to say goodbye to warm, dry weather and hello to cooler, wet weather. This means that you should make sure your home is weatherized and ready to go when you have to turn the heat on. Weatherizing your home can save you hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs and will make your living space much more comfortable. Follow these tips to prepare your home for fall!
Change your furnace air filter if you didn’t change it at the end of the summer. A dirty filter can make air flow difficult, which is hard on your furnace- it can reduce the life and cost you money before it was ready to be replaced. It’s also good to get the old particles from last season out of your house, especially if you have allergies.
Clean and inspect the gutters. Get rid of leaves & debris before the rains come along and clog up the system. Evaluate the overall condition of the gutters- be sure there are no leaks and that the drainage is away from the foundation.
Call the chimney sweep. Have a professional inspect and clean the chimney before you start a fire.
Verify that vents are open and unobstructed. It is a dangerous mistake to close off the vents in the crawlspace and attic. You are not keeping heat in but instead actively supporting mold growth. As humidity increases during fall and winter, ineffective ventilation prevents moisture from escaping and mold growth is usually the result. Though vents should be screened to keep out rodents, air should flow freely above the insulation in attics and below the insulation in crawlspaces.
Weatherstrip your windows. If you have old, original windows they can be quite drafty. Weatherstripping can save you considerable money in heating costs.
Disconnect garden hoses. Store hoses in the garage or a shed for the winter.