The dog days of summer are in full swing right now, but it’s not too early to begin thinking about how to get your home ready for the fall. Fall and winter in New Hampshire are marked by cold temperatures and bad weather. By taking small preventative steps now, your home will be protected for all the elements that come in the fall and winter. Here’s our best tips to get your home ready for the fall.
Install Smart Thermostats
You can reduce your home’s energy costs by up to 15% by using smart thermostats. You can program your home’s thermostats to keep you warm while you are home, but to set back to a cooler temperature while away. Many smart thermostats have apps where you can control the temperature on your phone and ensure your home is nice and warm for your return.
Clean Your Furnace and Change Filters
When the temperature drops and you go to turn on your heat you don’t want any problems or surprises. Clean your furnace while the weather is warm, test the pilot light, and change your air filters now. If you find any problems, now is the time to bring in a professional to address them. Additionally, if you have an outdoor air conditioning unit you may need to take steps to winterize it.
Solve Insulation Issues
If you haven’t been into your attic or crawl space in some time, pick a cooler summer day and head up there. Look for cracks where rays of light are coming through. Also check your ductwork with a flashlight to see if there are any cracks. Hire a professional to address any insulation issues—a small investment now will pay dividends for years to come.
Inspect Your Fireplace
Clean any soot, check for cracks, and look for blockage in your chimney. If you have a guess fireplace, vacuum and check the pilot light and ignition.
Insulate Your Pipes
When the temperature outside drops below freezing—and we know it does in New Hampshire—water in your pipes can freeze. Your pipes can crack and valves can be ruined which results in leaks and water damage. This can be avoided by simply insulating your pipes with foam sleeves. Spend the money and take the time to avoid a flooded basement in the middle of winter.
Test Your Detector’s Batteries
When your home is closed up and the windows are shut it’s important your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Check your batteries and test your detectors to ensure they work properly.
Check Your Water Heater
If you haven’t cleaned your water heater in a while now is the time. Silt and sediment can build up which leads to problems and inefficiencies. When it’s the cold of winter, a cold shower is not what you want first thing in the morning.
Diamond Hill Builders is here to work with you to get your home ready for the fall. Contact us today for a free quote on all your home renovation needs in New Hampshire.
