How to Prepare Your Home for the Arrival of Fall

Posted: September 8, 2023 2:25 pm

While it may still feel like the peak of summer in many areas of the U.S., fall is right around the corner. This makes now a good time to prepare your home for the arrival of fall. Here are a few things to put on your to-do list over the next few weeks so that your home is ready for the cooling temperatures.

Check for Drafts

With the arrival of fall comes rapidly decreasing temperatures. Your home could lose a good amount of heat if your windows and doors are not properly sealed. Checking for leaks and sealing them properly can save you a significant amount of money on your heating bills. An easy way to check for drafts is to close a window or a door on a piece of paper. If the paper moves easily, you need to take the time to update your weatherstripping.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Another great way to save on your heating bills heading into the fall and winter is to invest in a programmable thermostat if you have not already done so. This is particularly important if there are large chunks of time each day when people are not in the home. Many of today’s modern thermostats can be accessed through a smartphone, making it easy to adjust the temperature on your way home.

Store Outdoor Patio Furniture

Unless you live in a moderate climate, there is a good chance that you should bring your outdoor patio furniture in for the season. You will get more use out of your furniture if you take care to protect it when it is not in use. Storing this furniture in a garage or a shed will add a few years to the lifespan of most pieces. If you do not have the space to store this furniture, consider investing in a waterproof cover to keep it protected from the harsh elements on the way.

Change Heating System Filters

Clogged filters on your heating system may also drive up your energy costs when you start needing to heat your home. It is more difficult to keep your house at the ideal temperature if the filters are clogged, increasing your heating bills in the process. You should get in the habit of cleaning these filters monthly with the fall being a good reminder to change them out completely.

Clean or Replace Gutters

Nobody wants to deal with a clogged gutter. This type of home mishap could trigger a costly flooding event or a damaged exterior. If your gutters are past the point of cleaning being enough, you will need to replace them entirely. It is easy for gutters to flood in the fall because of the clogging at the hands of fallen leaves and other types of debris. In addition, dirty gutters can also encourage the growth of mold, particularly in wet climates. A good practice is to clean your gutters once at the beginning of the fall and once at the end after all the leaves have fallen.

Fertilize the Lawn

Just because the summer is over, it does not mean that your yard work is coming to an end. Applying fall lawn fertilizer will guard against damage from the winter elements and spring weeds. This act will also support a greener lawn when the spring arrives.

Reverse the Ceiling Fan

While you do not need to do this right away, it is a good idea to reverse the ceiling fans in your home at some point during the fall months. Warm air rises to the ceiling during the winter months while cooler air remains closer to the ground. By reversing the ceiling fan, you will encourage the cool air to flow upward and the warm air to stream closer to the ground. This will support a warmer home without as much energy needed by your heating system.

Test Out Winter Equipment

The last thing that you want is to discover that your snowblower is broken right after the first snowfall of the season. Testing your winter equipment now will ensure that you are ready for that random early weather event that may catch you off guard. While you are at it, this is a good time to check the batteries in all of your home’s smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices. This is not something that you want to leave to chance.

Clean the Garage

If you are like most families, your garage probably took a beating during the summer. Kids being on vacation and all of the normal outdoor activity associated with the summer season can leave a garage in shambles once the start of fall rolls around. Get off to a fresh start by devoting an afternoon to cleaning out and organizing the contents of your garage.

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