As temperatures drop and the leaves begin to change, it’s time to start preparing your home or apartment for the Fall season. With temperatures in August at record highs in the United States, extreme weather conditions can take a toll on your home and energy bills. To prepare your home for cooler weather, here are some practical tips to keep your home cozy, safe, and energy-efficient.
Start With an Energy Audit
Before the temperature drops, conducting an energy audit of your home or apartment is best. An energy audit can help identify energy inefficiencies, enabling you to save money on your energy bills. You can hire a professional energy auditor to assess your home’s energy use or conduct a do-it-yourself energy audit with the help of an online guide. The audit will give you an idea of the areas that need improvement so you can take corrective actions. Focusing on energy efficiency will reduce energy consumption, making your home more sustainable and eco-friendly.
Maintain Your Heating System
Fall is the season when the heating systems start to kick into gear. After having your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system idling for months, it’s time to give it much-needed attention. Inspecting and cleaning your HVAC system to ensure it’s running in top condition is best. If you have a furnace, replace the filters and check whether it needs any repairs. It’s also an excellent time to schedule a professional HVAC maintenance checkup to ensure your system will perform optimally throughout the winter.
Seal and Insulate Your Home
Insulating your home is essential for maintaining comfortable temperatures indoors. The insulation helps seal the cracks and gaps that let in cold temperatures, keeping your home warm and energy-efficient. Identify all the areas where air could escape, including the windows and exterior doors. Check the weather stripping and replace it if worn out or damaged. Sealing your home not only improves comfort but also helps reduce your energy bills.
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
As the leaves fall from trees, they can mess up your gutters and downspouts. If left unchecked, accumulated debris can clog up your gutters, resulting in water damage to walls and foundations. It’s best to clear your gutters, removing the sticks, debris, and leaves. Ensure the downspouts are free-flowing so that the water drains away quickly.
Prepare Your Lawn and Garden
Fall is a great time to prepare your lawn and garden for winter. Start by cutting back the plants and cleaning up the debris. Rake the leaves and turn them into mulch for next year’s garden. Mow the lawn and aerate it so that it can breathe and get more nutrients from the soil. Fall is also the time to plant cool-season annuals, such as pansies, and other winter-hardy perennials, such as tulips.
Stock Up Your Emergency Kit
As the temperature drops, severe weather events such as snowstorms, hurricanes, and power outages are likely to occur. It is essential to have an emergency kit ready so that you and your family can quickly survive and thrive during an emergency. Your emergency kit should include essentials such as blankets, flashlights, non-perishable food, battery-powered radios, and extra batteries.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your home or apartment for the Fall season doesn’t have to be daunting. With these practical tips, you can ensure your home is cozy, safe, and energy-efficient throughout the cooler months. Conducting an energy audit, maintaining your heating system, insulating your home, cleaning your gutters and downspouts, preparing your lawn and garden, and stocking up your emergency kit are all essential steps before the temperature drops. By following these tips, you’ll enjoy the Fall season and save money on energy bills, reduce your home’s environmental impact, and ensure your family’s safety.
