Fall Prep Checklist For Your Home

In our area just outside of Chicago, we know what the weather has in store for us. We have some wonderful summers, and some brutally cold winters. At this point we are all used to it! In this article, we want to give you a few tasks you can complete to get your home ready for the fall and winter. 

Some of these tasks you can perform on your own. Some of these you’ll want to hire a professional to help you out with. The goal of this fall checklist is to make sure your home is comfortable when the weather gets colder, and help you avoid costly energy bills or problems. 

If you need any help getting your heating system ready for the winter, give us a call at (630) 504-8688, or contact us online! We would be happy to help you get your home ready for the next season! 

Getting Your Home Ready For Fall 

Now that we are seeing the summer weather leave us in the rear view, it’s time to get ready for the fall. Here are some of the tasks you can take care of on our fall prep checklist! 

Schedule Heating Service

This is an obvious one, and especially since HVAC is our main focus, we know how important it is to have your heating system serviced. Regular maintenance for your furnace will do a few important things: 

• Improve energy efficiency
• Lower energy bills
• Increase the lifespan of your HVAC system
• Ensure safe operation 
• Avoid breakdowns 
• Maintain Warranty 
• Improve indoor air quality

If you go seasons without heating maintenance, it could end up costing you money, and sacrificing better comfort. 

Give us a call at (630) 504-8688 or contact us online to schedule your heating service! 

Changing Your Air Filter

This is a simple task, and one that normally gets taken care of when you schedule your heating service. Still, this is a task you can perform on your own, and you should do this every few months anyway. 

The air filter in your HVAC system catches any particles and irritants you have floating in the air. Over time, this can get clogged and bring the quality of the air in your home down. Changing the filter every 2-3 months is a great way to make sure the air flowing properly from your HVAC system, and is clean and healthy to breathe! 

Cleaning Gutters And Drains

This can be an ongoing task over the next few months of the fall. Clean your gutters and drains. If they are full of leaves, sticks, and other debris, it could weigh them down or cause drainage issues. 

If water can’t properly drain around your property, it could lead to water damage and major issues. Make sure your gutters and drains are clear and working properly! 

Put Away Patio Furniture/Garden Tools

You may want to use some of your patio furniture later into the season, but eventually you are going to want to properly store it for the winter. This also goes for hoses and sprinkler systems that you want to keep in good condition. 

Once again, some of this may be used a little later into the season, but you should have a plan to make sure it’s all stored properly and securely for the winter months. 

Seal Windows/Leaks

This is something you can do, or you could hire a professional. Make sure your windows and doors are sealed and not leaking. Leaks in your home lead to loss of heating, higher energy costs, and reduced comfort. Seal the cracks around your windows, use weather stripping on your doors, and you may even want to hire someone to improve your insulation as well! 

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

During the winter, you will want your fans to be spinning clockwise at a low speed. This creates an updraft, causing the warm air at the top of the ceiling to be pushed and dispersed around the room. Make sure they aren’t spinning too fast though, as to create a cool breeze which would defeat the purpose of using them. 

Bring Out Throw Blankets And Slippers

During the fall, there are some chilly nights that you want to stay warm, but don’t necessarily need your heating system. We recommend having some blankets on the couch, and using slippers/warm clothing to keep yourself comfortable. 

This can be a bit cozier and more cost effective than turning up the heat. Using slippers, blankets, sweaters, etc. are going to keep you warm, and make your space more comfortable. This little bit of added comfort will allow you to keep the home a few degrees cooler, adding up to savings on your energy bills. 

Furnace Tune-Up In Elgin, IL

We hope these tips help you out, and prepare your home for the fall. If you need some help with your heating system, give us a call or contact us online. Our experts will be happy get you set with a furnace tune up, and get your space ready for the cold weather!