It is officially Fall and it is time to prep your home for the cold weather that is sure to follow. As Coloradans, we realize that though it is sunny and warm today, cold and snow could strike at any time! We’ve compiled some of the best tips across the web on ways to get your home ready for the colder months of the year.
- Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts.
- Check for drafts and seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulk.
- Inspect your roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents.
- Take steps to repair damaged sidewalks, driveways, and steps.
- Drain and winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.
- Clean or replace dirty furnace filters.
- Do a survey of your home’s heating vents to make sure they’re not blocked or covered by furniture, carpeting, or curtains. Dust vents and clean all filters. Make an appointment for an annual heating system check-up.
- Your ducts are often times out of sight, out of mind, tucked away in the attic or basement, but a home with central heating can lose about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system. Make sure your ducts are in order by properly sealing and insulating. Tightly sealed and insulated ducts can potentially reduce your annual energy bills by $120 or more!
- Check fireplaces for soot or creosote build-up. Better yet, schedule a visit from a reputable chimney sweep.
- Clean the plates or pads of your humidifier to ensure efficient operation.
- If you have a gas-fired room heater, have it inspected by a pro. Also, perform any routine maintenance recommended by the maker.
- Wood stoves are popular in older homes. To avoid a dangerous situation, be sure to inspect your wood stove before firing it up.
- A home safety check should be an annual ritual in every household. Test smoke and CO monitors, inspect (or install) fire extinguishers, review fire escape plans, and rid your home of old newspapers and other fire hazards.
- Drain your water heater and clear out any debris that has settled in the tank
- Buy ENERGY SAVER products and bulbs to light your outdoor pathways or porches. ENERGY STAR makes CFL and LED flood lights that can withstand snow and rain. As an extra energy-saving effort, look for ENERGY STAR products that come with automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors. And be sure to decorate with LED holiday lights to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays.
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Resources:
http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/maintenance/weatherizing/your-homes-fall-checklist/
http://www.rd.com/home/improvement/prepare-your-home-for-fall-and-winter/#ixzz3kq3zO2xx
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