Fall is coming! When it comes to your HVAC system, pre-season preparation is needed to maintain comfortable home temperatures and prevent cold-weather mishaps.
As HVAC experts, we know a thing or two about getting your system up and ready for fall and following months. In this article, we will share our eight favorite tips to prepare your home for fall!
Clear Out Your Gutters and Downspouts
Save your gutters and downspouts from autumn’s leaves by giving them a quick clean-up before and during the fall season. Gutters with too much debris can clog your drainage system and cause mildew problems on soffits. It is imperative that you use caution when cleaning your gutters and downspouts as you will be working atop a ladder to clean everything.
Inspect Your Roof
If you can visually inspect from standing on the ground, a window overseeing the roof, or manage getting a bird’s eye view safely any other way, check your roof for broken, cracked, loose, or missing tiles. Summer heat can be so intense that it can cause the tiles to expand and contract which can lead to tiles being bonded together and then crack. It’s better to be safe than sorry as cracks and gaps in roof tiles can lead to water seepage, moisture, and fungi growth.
Tackle Those Outdoor Chores
For a neat and tidy look, and to keep your plants and bushes healthy, trim away dead or overgrown branches and stems. Also, pick up any haywire leaves around your garden and on your grass. Wear gloves to protect your hands from wood splinters and cuts, carry a bag, and use a concave scoop to dispose of waste materials.
Check Windows for Drafts & Inspect Your Weatherstripping
Did you know that up to 35% of heat treated air can be lost through drafty windows? Before the cold weather comes, check the bottom of doors and around your windowsill for drafts, and replace the weatherstripping if necessary.
Organize Your Seasonal Gear
To help prevent headaches in the future, take the time to re-organize your shed, garage, and other storage spaces by bringing fall equipment such as rakes, leaf blowers, lawnmowers, etc. to the front and center. Meanwhile, store away summer equipment. This would also be a good time to store away and/or cover outdoor summer furniture such as upholstery, barbeque, and umbrellas!
Get Comfortable with Your Thermostat
Depending on the temperature outside, set your thermostat anywhere between 68 and 78 degrees, as the U.S. Department of Energy recommends, during the fall, to be cost-efficient while keeping your home’s indoor environment comfortable for the entire family. Mimic the outside weather inside your home and reset the thermostat before sleeping and when the house is vacant to save as much money as possible and be sure to layer up and stay active around the house during the slightly cooler seasons of winter and fall.
Clean or Replace Your Furnace Filter
For better air quality within your home heading into the fall and winter months, be sure to clean or replace the HVAC filter as a clogged filter will increase energy bills by hampering your furnace and desired temperature setting. Better yet, consult an experienced HVAC technician regarding your home’s heating system, and inquire whether furnace maintenance, replacement, or repair is needed to prepare your home for the fall.
Schedule a Furnace Tune-up.
One of the best things you can do to prepare your home for the fall is to schedule a furnace tune-up to save money on heating and air conditioning now and in the future, lengthen its lifetime, and be sure the filter is not posing health hazards such as carbon monoxide to you and your family now or in the future.
Prepare Your Home for Fall & Get Cozy for Colder Weather
We hope this guide gave you a clear idea of steps you need to take to adequately prepare your home for the fall. Let us know in the comments section down below what other tips you would like to see from us next! Happy fall!
