Getting Your Home Ready for Fall and Winter

With the month of September just around the corner, the fall and winter seasons await. Many Santanna customers in the Midwest are aware of the severity of this seasonal change. In order to combat these harsh conditions, we have prepared a list of tips to help with getting your home ready for fall and winter.

1. Check your home for air leaks. If your home has air leaks, warm air will escape, costing you more to heat your home. Use weather stripping to seal off windows and doors, and caulk to seal any cracks you may have.
2. Clean out any debris in the gutters. With leaves and other debris becoming more common in the fall season, this is important to keep your gutter drainage system working properly. Debris can create ice dams in the winter, which can also lead to water seeping into your home. Remember to add extensions to downspouts to run water away from your home’s foundation.
3. Check your duct system for leaks and insulation. Tightly sealed and insulated ducts can help reduce your energy bills by reducing lost warm air.
4. Run your ceiling fan in reverse (if possible) when you turn on the heat in your home. This will push down the warm air from your heating system.
5. Turn off exterior water faucets to avoid frozen pipes. Disconnect any garden hoses as well.
6. Have your chimney inspected by a professional before the first frost to ensure that your fireplace is ready for the winter.

One additional tip is to look at the cost of your natural gas supply as it will be used to heat your home during the winter. If you feel you are paying too much, look at the option of an alternative energy supplier to lock into a fixed rate for the winter. Following these tips will help you stay warm this winter and save on your energy bills!