Simple Steps to Get Your Home Ready for Fall
Autumn is here, which makes it a good time to get your home ready for colder weather. A little preparation now can help lower bills, improve comfort and keep equipment running smoothly all season.
Start with the basics. Weatherization works, and there are many simple measures like sealing air leaks, adding insulation and installing a smart thermostat that you can do yourself. Some options are easy – for instance, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggests setting your thermostat to 68 degrees when away from home during the winter (and 78 when away during the summer). Following this recommendation alone can save an average of 10% on annual utility bills.
Simple draft stoppers for the bottoms of doors are a great next step – no installation required, and affordable on any budget. One step up involves adding weather stripping to door frames and windows – again, a low-cost step that can be as easy as peeling the back off the weather strip and sticking it to the frame. More complex tasks, like ensuring your insulation is up to date, might benefit from a professional, but are also a great and frequently cost-effective step to take.
Plan for routine maintenance. Most manufacturers recommend regular service for gas furnaces, boilers, water heaters, ovens and cooktops. A licensed professional can check venting, inspect heat exchangers, clean burners and confirm safe operation. Annual tune-ups help equipment run efficiently and can extend its life.
Protect your plumbing. If you are done using outdoor water lines for the season, shut off the exterior supply and drain hose bibs to reduce the risk of freezing and burst pipes during a sudden cold snap.
Give the exterior a quick check. Many roofing contractors suggest an annual inspection, particularly after summer storms. Clean gutters in late fall to keep water moving away from the house. Follow ladder-safety best practices or hire a professional if you are unsure you can do so safely.
Your local natural gas utility can help. Gas utilities invest about $4.1 million every day in customer energy-efficiency programs. Those funds support rebates and incentives for tighter-fitting windows and doors, insulation upgrades and high-efficiency natural gas appliances. Visit your utility’s website to see what is available in your area.
Natural gas continues to serve tens of millions of households because it is affordable, reliable and available when people need it. Our customers value the system’s strong reliability record and confidence in service during severe weather. If you rely on natural gas for space or water heating, a few preventive steps now will help you get the most from your equipment when temperatures drop.
Enjoy the season and consider tackling one or two of these tasks each weekend. Small upgrades add up, and there is real help available to make them more affordable.