With daytime temperatures comfortably in the mid-70s and evenings carrying just a hint of chill, now is a good time to put your house in order for the coming colder weather. Here is my list of fall housekeeping chores:
* Change your furnace filters. I still use the cheaper fiberglass filters. My goal is to change them once a quarter, but certainly when fall arrives, a new filter is a good idea.
* Check around doors and windows for leaks and drafts. Add weather-stripping and caulk any holes you see that may allow heat to escape. Make sure doors close and seal properly.
* It’s a good idea to check your outdoor lighting and make sure guests can see their way to your door. Watch for price wars on compact fluorescent bulbs, and buy in quantity. Replace outdoor bulbs with CFLs, especially if you leave the lights on overnight.
* Clear leaves and branches from gutters. Atlanta is unique among major American cities, indeed a "city in a forest." Our tree canopy is one of the joys of living here. But gutters filled with leaves and debris are worse than no gutters at all, so make plans now to keep gutters clear. Also, make sure downspouts are positioned to direct water away from your foundation.
* Now is a good time for a quick roof inspection, in two phases. First, take a pair of binoculars and scan your roof from the street, looking for broken or loose shingles, popped-up nails, damage from falling limbs, or anything that seems out of place. Second, from inside your attic, look for signs of water stains or water penetration. Stop any leaks now before the weather gets really cold.
* If your house is older and not well insulated, consider a “home energy audit” by a professional BPI contractor. They will a provide you with a complete report of recommended home improvements and inform you of local and state energy-efficiency incentives. Georgia Power offers up to $2,200 in rebates for qualifying homes, and other utilities have similar programs. For example, you can get a 50 percent rebate on a programmable thermostat, up to a maximum rebate of $100. You will find a Georgia Power brochure on my website at money99.com which explains the rebates.
* Reverse the direction switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward, toward the ceiling. This is particularly helpful in rooms with high ceilings: The heat that naturally rises is forced back down into the room.
* Insulate accessible hot water pipes with polystyrene foam to reduce heat loss from the water heater tank to the tap. It comes with a slit down the side and slips easily over the pipe. Also, if your water heater is in an unheated area of your house, consider a fiberglass insulating blanket for it.
* Finally, as we approach the holiday season, know that fires can be a hazard in any house, and your best investment is a working smoke detector on every occupied level of your home. Better yet, install a smoke detector in every occupied bedroom. Put in fresh batteries now, and test each unit for proper operation. If you think your smoke detector may be more than ten years old, it’s time to replace it. Also, if you have any gas appliances, consider a carbon monoxide detector.
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