As much as we hate to admit it, summer is coming to a close. It’s a sad time for all of us, but the smell of the pumpkin spice candles is more than enough to warm the heart. Sweater weather has all but arrived! As the seasons change, we need to take a look at our homes and make sure they are prepared for different types of weather and temperatures. So yes, you should light your pumpkin spice candles, but there are a few other things you should take care of before fall is in full force.
Check For Drafts
With the fall season come colder nights. According to the Department of Energy, heat loss through windows is responsible for 25% of heating energy use. Go around and check for drafts at all of your doors and windows. Weatherstripping is a convenient and cheap solution to help keep your heating bill down.
Drain Outdoor Faucets
Finish up your warm-weather gardening and then disconnect your hoses, store them, and turn off your outdoor faucets. If you don’t, water in the pipes can freeze and expand, bursting your pipes. While it may be a cool band name, bursting pipes is not something you want to experience, trust us.
Bring The Outdoor Furniture In
You worked hard to collect all of the pieces and organize your outdoor furniture to create an awesome outdoor space, and you love sitting out there in the summer. Sure, the labels might say they are weather-resistant, but do you really want to test that with high winds, whipping rain, or freezing snow? Better to protect it so you can enjoy it again in the spring. Store it inside or at least buy protective covers.
Change Filters
Another thing that could be raising your heating and cooling bills: air filters. Dirty or clogged ones cause your heater and air conditioner to work harder to achieve the target temperature. Ideally, you’d be cleaning or replacing these every month or so. We know, it’s easy to forget. So let this serve as a reminder to clean or replace your filters to keep your heating bill down as the temperature outside drops.
Fertilize The Lawn
You probably want your lawn to look great in the spring and summer, which means you need to prep it for the fall and winter. The roots are still active even when the grass isn’t growing, so apply fertilizer to prevent damage in the winter. It will also help your lawn turn green faster in the spring!
Now that your home is ready for fall, bust out the sweaters, the fall scented candles, and get yourself a pumpkin spice latte!
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