1. Check your heating system including filters,
pilot lights and burners. Have the system serviced by a qualified
professional. Cleaning and servicing now can save you money later.
Learn steps to boost your furnace's efficiency and how to replace
your furnace filter.
2. Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard
heaters and cold-air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major
cause of indoor pollutants and can increase incidences of
cold-weather illnesses. Consider hiring a pro to clean hard-to-reach
ductwork.
3. Paint interior rooms while it's still warm enough
to leave windows open. Ditto for shampooing or replacing carpets.
Give a fresh start to your interiors just in time for fall and
winter parties and family gatherings. Learn painting steps to
success -- how to choose the right paint, how to solve paint
problems and more.
4. Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors.
Caulking helps keep your house weather-tight and lowers heating and
cooling bills. It can also help keep insects and other "critters"
out of your house. When you caulk before painting, it eliminates
edges where the paint may start to peel.
5. Protect your home from uninvited critters. As
urban limits expand, more and more homeowners have to contend with
wildlife in their yards and houses. Installing grates, securing
trash containers, even humane traps may help.
6. Start to put away tools and equipment left
outdoors during the summer such as play equipment, lawn mowers,
barbeques, gardening tools and hoses. It may be time to winterize
your pool, too.
7. It's time to think about the condition of your
roof. Be proactive and prevent emergency -- and expensive --repairs.
Find out about common trouble spots and how to locate a leak from
inside.
8. Next to checking your roof, insulating your home
is one of the most important tasks to accomplish before the
onslaught of winter. Insulation goes beyond simple weatherstripping
and caulking (see #4) and may be a job for professionals. The money
and energy you'll save will make the job worth it.
