Special thanks to my friend Lauren for providing today’s timely partnered post about preparing for fall. I was reminded by reading it that we have some work that needs to be scheduled on our heating unit before the first cold snap! Thanks for the reminder, Lauren! 

Even though summer fun may be occupying your time, it’s not too early to think about preparing your home for the cooler seasons. Get started with these five basic tasks, and you’ll feel relaxed and cozy when the mornings turn crisp and leaves begin to fall.

1. Give your heating system some TLC

If you have a central heating system, check that it’s working properly early on in autumn. Replace the air filters and run the whole system for several hours on a warm autumn day or cool summer afternoon. If there’s any dust in the heating ducts, this trial run should blow most of it away. You’ll save money on duct cleaning, and you won’t have a house that smells like burnt dust when the weather turns cold.

2. Clear your fireplace and chimney

If you have a fireplace or wood stove, you should contact your local chimney cleaner to prep your wood burners for the cold nights ahead. You may have to call well in advance to get an appointment before it’s time to build that first fire. To protect your home from cold drafts, have the chimney cleaner check that the flue is functioning properly.

3. Replenish emergency supplies

Fall and winter bring storms to every part of the country, so take advantage of calmer weather to make sure you have everything you need. Check your supply of drinking water and the expiration dates on your store of batteries for flashlights. Take inventory and restock first aid kits accordingly. If you have a generator, make sure it starts easily. Tip: gasoline will store for longer periods if you add a stabilizer to it.

4. Drain sprinkler system and hoses

If you live in an area where you can expect a winter freeze, you need to put your sprinkler system to bed for the season. Drain and coil garden hoses for storage; follow this with having your irrigation lines blown out by a professional. Cover exterior spigots with insulating wrap to keep them from cracking in a hard freeze.

5. Clean the gutters

Gutter cleaning is one of those daunting necessities that homeowners can’t ignore. The debris and fallen leaves in your gutters can be detrimental to your drainpipes and ultimately the well- being of your home. To ensure your home is ready for the seasons ahead, you can call the pros at Ned Stevens. They’ll be sure to remove all fallen leaves and other problematic materials so your gutters can work the way they’re supposed to.

Each season brings its challenges and pleasures; you’ll be ready to welcome fall and winter if you take care of small, necessary tasks ahead of time.