Prepping your home this fall could save you from costly winter repairs
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — With the coldest air of the season thus far arriving Thursday night, some homeowners may start thinking about the long stretch of winter ahead.
As temperatures take a tumble this fall, it's important to complete a quick mental checklist around the home in preparation for the cold season. Completing simple tasks both inside and outside your home could save you bigger headaches during the coldest part of the year.
Tuning up your furnace
Keeping your furnace performing at its best saves you money on energy costs while also helping to prevent more costly repairs.
Luke Vanderhill owns Kalamazoo-based Nieboer heating and cooling, and has worked in the industry for almost 40 years. He shared the biggest mistake he sees from homeowners.
“They forget they have a furnace, so they don’t look at it," Vanderhill said. "Take a look at it, twice a year at least, and see if there’s anything going on around it.”
Now is the time to see if your furnace air filter needs replacing. Depending on the quality of filter you buy and other factors in your home, some need to be changed monthly while others can go 6 months to a year, according to Vanderhill.
“Needs to be in there tight so it doesn’t have other basement air sucking into it," Vanderhill said. "Some of the pleated filters that are out there, 6 months to a year and you’re fine."
Furnace manufacturers recommend a yearly tune up from a qualified professional, but Vanderhill said he realizes that doesn't happen for everyone.
"That's probably fine as long as you're taking a look at your furnace, seeing if there’s anything amiss, any water on the floor," Vanderhill said. "Don’t ignore it. Something could be going on that’s a simple problem that could be repaired by the homeowner.
A preventative maintenance service call starts at $90 through Nieboer, Vanderhill said.
"Maintenance yearly is a great idea, because we want to keep it running in top condition, and that saves you money," Vanderhill said. "It's a good 15 to 20 items where you’re checking safety, electrical connections, gas connections, air flow, and the drain system in the furnace."
Your home's exterior
Aaron Hovestadt, the CEO of Home Builders Association of Western Michigan, shared some other reminders when it comes to preparing your home for the cold months ahead.
As you decorate for Halloween, it's also a good time do a little exterior maintenance on your home.
"I always say, ‘Look up,’" Hovestadt said. "Look at your roof, look at your gutters. Assess your house and look for anything that doesn’t look right.”
Ensuring your gutters are free of leaves and debris will become important to ensure water and eventually melting snow runs properly away from your home.
If you have a lawn sprinkler system, it's also probably time to have it winterized. Disconnect any hoses from your home's exterior to avoid damage to your plumbing.
As the nights grow longer and it turns dark earlier, it's important to remember your home's security and safety as well.
“Make sure your light bulbs on your exterior lights are all operating and working so your house is lit up," Hovestadt said.
Chances are you're finished with mowing for the season, so it may be time to bring in your outdoor power equipment and make sure it's winterized.
In the same vein, if you own a snow blower, fire it up to ensure it's working properly. It's better you find out it needs fixing now before there's a foot of snow on the ground, something Hovestadt said he's learned the hard way.
Other things inside your home
Hovestadt recommended homeowners check their windows and doors for leaks. The fall is a great time to do some re-caulking or to call a professional contractor if you've been considering window replacement.
The fall is a great time to make sure your smoke detectors have working batteries installed as well.
Once you turn on your furnace, it's also good to switch the direction of your ceiling fans. It should spin clockwise during the cold season and on a low setting to maximize warm air spreading throughout the room.
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