As the months go by and you feel the summer heat dissipate, the kids return to school and the fall season is in full swing. While it is fun to watch the leaves change as you anticipate the holidays, this is also a time when you can make some changes around the house and prepare for the cooler months to come.
From making sustainable repairs to reorganizing your closet, there is a lot you can do to get ready. Here are five great steps to consider for an autumn-ready home.
1. Be Proactive About Pests
The funny thing about rodents and insects is that they are more like us than we realize. Many of them get dehydrated and most don’t like to be cold, so they will try to find a way into your house to stay warm during the fall season. It is essential that you are proactive to avoid the threat of pests, especially rodents. In addition to being annoying, a rodent infestation can be harmful to your health.
If mice and rats are able to get into your cabinets and food supply, then they can leave droppings and saliva in their wake. If they do and you make contact, then you can potentially come down with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome — a respiratory disease that has a mortality rate of 38%. Needless to say, you need to begin taking steps to prevent pests. Start by bringing in a pest control specialist to spray and tell you about any trouble areas. Then, make sure to seal all of your food in secure containers. Also, clean up any leaks in your plumbing as insects can congregate there for water.
2. Increase Efficiency Around the Home
When the cooler months come around, and you start turning on the heat so your family can stay warm and cozy, you will want to take the proper precautions to ensure that you are not wasting energy. To do so, consider implementing some budget-friendly, sustainable home upgrades and repairs.
For instance, it is a good idea to apply weatherstripping to the perimeter of your doors and windows because doing so will eliminate the possibility that your heat can seep out through those spaces. Also, switch out your incandescent lighting for LED bulbs that not only last longer but will also provide more vivid light during those autumn nights.
3. Install a Smart Thermostat
Another way to fight wasted energy is to install a smart thermostat. While it is important to be warm during evenings and weekends when everyone is in the house, you don’t need to keep the temperature at the same level when you’re not at home. During the colder months, the best temperature to set your thermostat is between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit while you are at home. When you are away, you can lower it closer to 65 degrees so the heater doesn’t turn on as often to heat an empty house — and it’s not cold enough to freeze the pipes.
Since it can be difficult to remember to change the temperature every time you leave or come home, you can invest in a smart thermostat. You only need to program this device once, and then it will change the heat at those pre-set intervals so you can stay warm and also reduce your utility bills.
4. Check Out Your Roof and Gutters
Next, you should get out your ladder and take a trip up to protect the roof for the stormy season ahead. The fall and winter months can bring a higher chance of rain, snow, and storms, so it is a good idea to check out your roof and make sure that there are not any leaks or missing shingles that could lead to issues down the road. If you don’t know a lot about roof maintenance, then contact a professional.
This is also a good time to clean out your gutters. Since more leaves will be falling during autumn and many will be landing in your gutters, you will want to ensure that you don’t have a buildup of debris that will make your problem worse. If rainwater cannot travel freely through your gutters and downspouts then they could overflow, and the falling water could ruin your yard and the foundation of your home.
5. Get Organized
The fall season is also a great time to organize and clear the clutter from your home. You likely have a lot of stuff sitting around from your summer adventures, and it is time to put everything back in its place. In addition to being unsightly, a mess at home can also exacerbate depression symptoms and leave you feeling mentally drained because, subconsciously, we feel like we are losing control of our environment. Since you don’t want to feel that way as we head into the holiday season, find a place for everything and use a creative storage solution like an ottoman in the living room if necessary.
While you are getting organized and moving belongings, this is also a good time to rotate your warm and cold weather clothes. Put all of your summer wear away in storage or hang it up in your closet and bring out the pants, sweaters, and long-sleeved shirts. That way, you are ready when the cooler weather approaches.
As you can see, there are many steps that you can take today to prepare for the arrival of fall. Consider these tips, and you can take some stress off of your plate as the new season draws near.
