Fall is just around the corner, meaning it’s about time to start winterizing your home. In other words, it’s time for home inspections and repairs to help improve your home’s energy efficiency. As the weather begins to change, take the time to get the following fall energy saving tips together on a checklist to help get your home ready in time for winter.
Seal Up Your Home
Come fall, it’s time to seal up and winterize your home. This process includes draining the hose and pipes from your air conditioner, turning off any valves or exterior faucets, and ensuring that all water lines are properly sealed. If you have any window air conditioning units, now is the time to remove them and seal the windows properly.
Apply Weather Stripping
Keep all of that wonderful warm air in and all of that nasty chilly air out! Now is the time to apply weather stripping around the windows and doors. First, inspect for any potential air leaks from cracks or gaps by lighting a candle around your windows and doors. The flame will help indicate any air leaks. Then, apply caulking to the area and adequate weather stripping to ensure you stay toasty warm all fall and winter long.
Inspect the Furnace
Set up an inspection with a local HVAC professional to clean and maintain your furnace. Doing so will ensure that your furnace performs optimally.
Maintain the Fireplace
Another important fall energy saving tip is to ensure that your fireplace is ready for those frosty winter nights by caulking around the hearth and flute to ensure there are no energy leaks. Also, check to ensure the damper is not active unless the fireplace is in use. If the damper is open the hot air in your home will escape up your chimney, and frigid air will enter.
Clean Your Gutters
Fall brings an array of beautiful colours from the neighbouring trees around your home, but it also means messy leaves and debris which will need to be cleaned up. Your gutters can become clogged with debris, causing water build up that can damage your home. Plus, clogged gutters can become a problem as soon as the snow and ice begin to form. So, before the weather takes a turn, make sure the gutters have been cleaned out and inspected.
Replace Any Outdated Windows and Doors
Old drafty windows and deteriorating doors can cost you money in energy expenses. If your windows and doors are out-dated, consider getting new durable and energy efficient models to ensure your home is energy optimized and well protected.
Fall is a beautiful time of year, but it also brings lots of weather changes, debris, and rain. That’s why it’s a great idea to start winterizing your home early. Plus, the sooner you cut down on the energy leaks, the more money you will save on energy costs.