Fall is a unique and colorful time of the year, when nature takes out her paintbrush and paints everything in beautiful browns, reds, and yellows. This is also the time of year when the weather gets cooler, and everyone starts preparing for winter. The furnaces roar back to life and the smell of winter approaching lingers in the air.
Here are some fall energy savings tips that help you learn how to stay warm in the fall!
Best Tips For Fall Home Maintenance
It is important to be ready for fall so that winter doesn’t sneak up on you. Here are some fall maintenance tips for your home.
Clean Your Chimney and Vents
- Make sure to clean all vents.
- Get a chimney sweeper to clean your chimney to avoid blockages and soot build-up as they can become fire hazards.
- Ensure that your chimney is up to code and that it meets all the safety requirements.
- Make sure to remove any debris such as: leaves, bird nests and other from in and around the chimney.
- Make sure you fix any chimney wear and tear before the winter otherwise it may be a risk to use it.
- It can save you money to routinely clean your chimney every fall to get it ready for the winter.
- By keeping your chimney clean you will be able to efficiently heat your home.
Clean The Furnace
- By keeping your furnace clean, you will avoid unnecessary repairs, and it will last longer. If well maintained, this will also improve the furnace’s efficiency during the winter months.
- Make sure your furnace has not accumulated a dust build-up, for this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or become a fire hazard.
- A clean furnace will allow you to breathe clean air, this is especially important for the elderly, people with asthma, and people with allergies; clean air is something we all want for our friends and families.
Check Insulation And Sealing Throughout The House
- Make sure that pipes in cold areas are sufficiently insulated to avoid damages from frozen pipes.
- Insulating your attic is a priority because heat rises. To keep your house warm, your attic must be fully insulated.
- Make sure garages are also fully insulated because they are vulnerable to the cold.
- Ensure that all exterior walls are properly insulated and that the existing insulation is not old or defective.
- It is especially important to make sure that the floors and ceilings are also adequately insulted for the winter.
- It is also paramount to insulate all ducts, vents, air-conditioning vents, and chimneys to make sure that heat doesn’t escape through there.
- It is also valuable to make sure that all air leakage points are properly sealed throughout the house.
Take Stock Of Upgrades Around The House
- Make sure to upgrade all heating equipment such as thermostats, boilers, tanks, furnaces.
- Check that the house is devoid of any air leakage and that it is fully insulated, if not, it is recommended to make these upgrades.
- It is highly recommended to invest in new double or triple glazed windows, this is an upgrade that, over time, will save you a lot of money and keep you warm this winter.
- Also, consider upgrading appliances and getting smart appliances that will be more efficient and cost-effective.
Conserve Your Hot Water
- Firstly, insulate your tank and pipes.
- Lower the water temperature, so it ranges between 120 and 140 degrees.
- Repair all leaky faucets.
- Make sure that your appliances are not too old. Older devices may use up more energy and, therefore, use more hot water than necessary.
- Install a timer on your tank so that it can be shut off at night or when not in use.
- Try to take more showers rather than baths, it is also recommended to reduce the amount of hot water in use by washing the dishes in lukewarm water.
Make Sure Your House Is Warm
- Curtains play an important role when it comes to keeping a house warm. Open the curtains during sunny days and draw the curtains at night or on cloudy days.
- Make sure to check that no furniture is obstructing any of the vents.
- Use ceiling fans tuning on low and in a clockwise direction to keep the heat inside your home.
- What temperature should I set the thermostat during fall to save energy? Avoid changing the temperature on the thermostat and consider investing in a smart thermostat that will allow you to adjust the temperature by programming the settings according to your personal needs.
Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips
- If your HVAC system is old, one of the fall HVAC tips is to replace it with a newer model before the arrival of winter, especially if it frequently requires repairs.
- Make sure that your HVAC system functions correctly, for example, if it emits strange noises or perhaps there is a constant rattling sound, then that could mean that you may need a new one before the winter season.
- Make sure that your HVAC systems heat all rooms equally, if you start to notice that you are no longer comfortable and some rooms are hotter and some are colder, perhaps it is time for an upgrade.
- Check that your air quality is good, a defective or faulty HVAC system can generate a slew of health-related issues.
Conclusion
As you sit on your porch and enjoy the hues provided by nature with a hot cup of tea in your hands, make sure that you take the time to reflect on the fall home improvement preparations that need to be done so that when winter comes knocking, you won’t be caught off guard. Learn more information about Blackhawk Supply HVAC supplies to make sure that you and your family enjoy cozy autumn and warm winter.
