A 10 “Prep your home for fall and winter" tips

1. Disconnect all garden / garage hoses from their faucets and shut off all the faucets’ inside valves (usually located in the basement).

b. Remember to keep the outside faucets open during wintertime.

2. Replace the furnace filter, if you haven't already.

3. Humidifier maintenance: If you have both central A/C and humidifier, open the humidifier damper and clean or replace the filter. Humidifiers need regular maintenance.

Important: The humidifier damper should stay closed during summertime so that conditioned air will not be drawn back to the humidifier and cause ice build-up.

4. Wood fire places should be inspected by a WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) certified person and cleaned before use. As for gas fireplaces, you may want to prepare by lighting the pilot light and see that it is in working condition. Remember that if you want to clean the fireplace's glass, use a specific cleanser for it, any other cleaning agent may cause stains on the glass and damage its appearance.

5. Clean the gutters and downspouts. Make sure they are intact, connected and extended at least 6 feet away from the foundation to prevent any water damage to structure and foundation.

6. Check that exterior caulking is intact and, as needed, add weather strips to doors and windows.

7. Remove all window screens to help maximize air flow around windows and minimize condensation.

8. Check that all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition.

9. Turn off the breaker of the air conditioning on the electrical panel during wintertime, as it will still consume electricity when left turned on. Another important reason for switching the breaker off is to prevent accidental activation of the A/C that is potentially damaging for the A/C.

10. Have a professional roofer remove snow from roof if it appears to be excessive. Don't do it yourself, as you might damage the shingles, and are risking your safety.