The summer is quickly coming to a close and fall is almost here, bringing with it school, falling leaves and the sight of winter. Many people like the fall season because of the beautiful change of colors and the cooler weather, but fall also brings with it some concerns for your home. You need to make sure your home is safe this season and prepared for the cold winter months to come.
There is no need to panic when summer ends, there are things you can accomplish now that will ensure that you can enjoy a safe and functional home throughout the cold months. Preparing your home now prevents future potential issues and lets you rest easy when that first winter storm hits. Here are some updates to do to your home this fall.
Check Insulation
Proper insulation is essential to maintaining the perfect temperature in your home year round, but it becomes especially important when you are preparing for the harsh cold of winter. Check your home for any leaks and seal them with new insulation or caulk. If you are still feeling too chilly, you can consider installing new or extra insulation throughout your home. If you want to save money, you can focus on key areas of your home, like bedrooms, instead of reinsulating the entire home. You can also cover windows and other uninsulated areas of the home before the cold weather comes in.
Assess your Energy Costs
You thought you were spending a lot of money this summer to keep your home cool, but that is nothing compared to the amount that you will spend on heating costs this winter. There are a lot of free or inexpensive things that you can do to keep your heating costs low, including the item mentioned before about improving insulation. You can also adjust your thermostat to a lower temperature and get better business energy rates for your home.
Keep Areas Around your Home Clear
Those falling leaves are beautiful, but they can cause some issues for your home. Leaves can clog things like your gutters, drains and even air vents, which can create big problems for you. Prevent these issues before the snow falls by keeping all areas around your home clean and clear, including heating vents and water drainage points. This will prevent a lot of problems for your home in the spring too, when the snow melts.
Think about your Water
Water heating costs can be a big part of your home energy costs. Adjusting how you heat your water can make a big difference in your bill and save you a lot of money all year long. Set your water heater at a comfortable 120 degrees to keep you water warm without spending all your home’s energy heating it. You can also use cold water for more household chores, like laundry, to save your home and family more money. These tips are easy for anyone to do and will make a big difference in how your home operates this fall and winter.