Summer is over, children are back in school. Even if it doesn’t quite feel like winter right now, don’t be fooled, because the cold is coming, and NOW is the time to prepare.
Look around your home. See any gaps around your doors or windows? A 1/12-inch gap around an exterior door is like having a 4x5-inch hole in the wall. Add cracks around other doors and windows, and you could be allowing a lot of cold air into your home this winter.

Plugging those leaks will increase your comfort, and it helps to reduce energy bills (just weather stripping around doors and windows alone can cut heat loss significantly). Caulking, additional insulation and storm doors and windows are other measures that will make your home even more energy efficient.

REMEMBER TO CHECK YOUR FURNACE
As winter draws closer, make sure to inspect your furnace to ensure it is functioning properly. It’s also a good idea to stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly. You may also want to consider contacting an HVAC professional to clean out your air ducts. 

INSPECT YOUR ATTIC, ROOF & GUTTERS
Adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams. Check flashings to ensure water can’t enter your home. Replace worn roof shingles or tiles. Clean out your gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris. You may also want to install leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

PROTECT FAUCETS/PIPES FROM FREEZING 
Take steps so that outside faucets (also called sill cocks) and in-ground irrigation systems don’t freeze and burst. First, close any shut-off valves serving outside faucets, then open the outside faucet to drain the line (there may be a small cap on the faucet you can loosen in order to facilitate draining).