Getting Your Northern Home Ready for Autumn
Getting your home ready for the autumn and the winter to follow can save serious money and help you avoid the accompanying aggravation. As old Ben Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Here are 18 tips to help with this:
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Check for leaks and drafts in your windows and doors.
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If you don’t have one, buy a programmable thermostat. Set it to lower the temperature at night or when you are out of the house – this can result in a big savings on utility bills.
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Inspect the roof for weak spots and clean the gutters. Also check for loose tiles, etc.
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Trim shrubbery and trees, after the fast-growing summer season. Pay particular attention to trees, as branches can get too close to power lines or snap off during a storm which could cause bodily injury or property damage.
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Autumn and winter can bring storms resulting in power outages. An emergency generator is a smart option, particularly for homes with older folks or people suffering ailments.
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Check that the heating is working properly.
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Fertilizing the lawn will help to prevent winter damage.
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Remove seasonable furniture and store it in a dry place.
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Check water and drainage. Be sure that rainwater spouts are clear of blockages and direct water away from foundations and walkways.
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Check your furnace for soot, pilot light health, and ignition problems. Switch out your filters since clean air is important when the house is closed for winter.
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If you have a fireplace, autumn is the time to clean and inspect it. Check the chimney for obstructions, check that your damper is working smoothly. This is also the right time to stock up on firewood.
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Get your seasonable bedding and clothing to the front of the closets, while moving the summer wear to the back for next season.
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Bring in delicate plants from the garden – particularly plants that are sensitive to moisture and low temperatures. Remember to keep them near windows so they get plenty of natural light.
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Because homes tend to be sealed in the colder months, autumn is also a good time to replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
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Since your water heater will have a lot of work to do in the chillier months, check to see if there is a build up of sediment, overcome with scale, etc. These issues can reduce efficiency and lead to unnecessary expenses.
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Clean the humidifiers: replace old filters and clean the inside compartment. Vinegar is inexpensive and works well.
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Before the real foliage begins, rake and remove leaves from the yard. Place them in a compost pile, if you have one – if not, place in garbage bags for community pick up.
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Plant fall bulbs for spring flowers. There are a variety of flowers to plant that will bloom in the spring. So, get some fall gardening done. Tip: In south Florida, try society garlic. This grassy looking plant sprouts large clusters of delicate lavender flowers.