Prepare Your Home and Yourself for Fall and Winter
Fall honeymoon is over!!!!!! Now fall is officially here, it’s time to prepare your house heating system
These 8 simple tasks (Prepare Your Home for Fall and Winter), most of which you can do yourself, will help you stay warm, safe and energy-conscious this winter.
Tune up your heating system
Make sure that the heating vents are not blocked or covered by furniture, carpeting, or curtains. Clean or replace dirty furnace filters or better have a professional from a reputable HVAC company to check your heating system and ensure it’s in a good working condition.
Get your ducts in a row
Home with central heating can lose up to 20% of the air that moves through the duct system. Make sure your ducts are in order by properly sealing and insulating them. Tightly sealed and insulated ducts can potentially reduce your annual energy bills!
Clean the fireplace and chimney
Check your fireplaces for soot or creosote build-up. You can clear out ash and charred wood from the fireplace yourself, but leave the chimney cleaning to a reputable chimney sweep.
Change and Test the Batteries in Your Smoke Alarms
Replace the batteries in each smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector, and then vacuum them with a soft brush attachment. Test the detectors by pressing the test button or holding a smoke source near the unit.
Check for drafts
Stay warm and reduce your heating bill this fall by examining windows and doors for cracks and sealing them to prevent drafts.
Clear out the gutters
Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves and other debris from your drainpipe and gutters to prevent clogging. Drain your outdoor faucets to prevent freezing.
Clean out your garage
Organize the remains of your summer projects and clean and store gardening tools. Push what you will not need to the back and bring any winter necessities such as shovels, snow blowers, skis and sleds to the front. Set out salt and gravel containers, and you will thank yourself the first time the ice hits.
Winterize Your Car
Auto maintenance is a whole topic but there are 4 things you absolutely must do for the winter months:
- Check your tires
- Change your windshield wipers
- Flush your radiator and replace your antifreeze.
- Check that your heater and defroster work.
For a free consultation, estimate or to book your maintenance call please contact us.
