Fall Tune Up: 7 Maintenance Projects To Do Now

Autumn is an important season for home maintenance, as colder weather sets in. Both major and minor upgrades and repairs can significantly lower energy bills and give homeowners confidence. After all, the harsh winter weather that follows can wreak havoc on a home. In colder climates, winter is the most expensive season for homeowners due to heating costs. Since it is impossible to live in a four-season region without a functioning furnace or water heater, emergency repairs can pop up anytime. Fall tune-up projects benefit homeowners in one of two ways: 1) making upgrades that lower heating costs, or 2) repairs (or replacements) that can lower the possibility of expensive emergency fixes. With this in mind, here are seven autumn improvement or maintenance projects that every homeowner should consider:

1. Window Replacement

Replacing windows is both a cosmetic and energy-saving improvement. New, energy-efficient glass can add value to a home regarding selling price and in lowering monthly heating and cooling costs. How do you know if it is time to replace the windows in your home? According to the experts at This Old House, wood-frame windows last between 26-50 years. This means that homes built in the 1960s or before are good candidates for a window upgrade. Homes built after that should be regularly monitored for window wear and tear. People who want to tackle a fall window upgrade should opt for Energy Star certified windows, which can eliminate drafts and lower cold weather costs. These windows can be more expensive than other models, but the price tag is worth the energy and long-term cost savings.

2. Weather Stripping and Sealing

Another cause of a cold and drafty house is the presence of gaps (often around windows and doors). If a complete window upgrade or new front door seems like too large of a project, resealing windows and adding new weather stripping around existing doors could be a quicker fix with immediate energy savings. Weather stripping is most effective when applied around all doors and windows in the home (not just the front door and living room windows). This task takes a little elbow grease, but it is a relatively cheap and straightforward do-it-yourself project. Often, the need to seal gaps is obvious, with drafts felt around doors and windows. Beware of less obvious drafts, however, as they can easily be present in most homes. An energy efficiency expert can help determine your specific needs and provide advice on improvements to increase efficiency. An energy efficiency inspection is an easy process – many energy providers offer the service for free or for a nominal fee. Because gas and electric grids are often strained during the winter, having customers with more energy efficient homes can lower an energy provider’s operating costs, thereby decreasing the need for emergency grid maintenance while increasing overall profits.

3. Clean and Inspect Furnace and Ducts

In four-season climates, the furnace is the most important wintertime appliance. Therefore, an annual furnace inspection and tune-up is always a good idea. Homes with forced air systems should have their ductwork cleaned every two years. Adding a layer of insulation around ducts can also increase efficiency. This helps the heated air stay warm until it reaches the home’s living spaces. A final furnace-related fall task is changing the air filter. Experts recommend a replacement every month in the winter to keep dust from entering the furnace and being blown into the home.

4. A Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can help automate the climate control system. A homeowner can program the thermostat based on preferences during a different time of day, or day of the week. This can lead to significant energy savings with minimal effort. How does this help? Think about it like this: a home doesn’t need to be optimally heated while the family is at work and school. Lowering the temperature during typical away times, as well as during the night while sleeping, results in an automatic reduction of furnace usage and heating costs. A programmable thermostat simplifies energy savings, especially for busy individuals, as it eliminates the need to constantly adjust the temperature. Set it and forget it.

5. Add Insulation

Often times, older homes are either improperly insulated or the insulation is outdated. Autumn is the perfect time for an insulation inspection. The worst culprit for home heat loss is typically the attic. As elementary school science class taught us, hot air rises. Depending on the type of insulation in a home, most experts suggest 10 to 14 inches of insulation in the attic. Insulation is rated with something called an “R-value," which measures how well it can resist heat flow. Experts suggest a value of R-38 for most homes in four-season climates. It is potentially possible to add insulation yourself, but mistakes such as adding a blanket that has foil or paper backing on it, can negate any benefit. There are also safety issues that could accompany installing fiberglass insulation. For these reasons, professional installation is generally recommended.

6. Patch Driveway and Walkway Cracks

Patching cracks in the cement or blacktop around your house is important (and easy). During the winter, ice forms in cracks. It then expands, causing even the smallest gap to widen. Quick-hardening cement will repair most cracks in walkways. With the proper equipment and safety precautions, this is usually a straightforward do-it-yourself project. Blacktop on a driveway can also be patched with a special material applied from a tube, similar to caulk. Patching small cracks today can save time and money by safeguarding against major repairs in the spring.

7. Clear the Gutters

Winter brings rain or snow to most of the country. Properly functioning gutters can help shield roofs from both forms of precipitation. Prepping gutters for winter could be as simple as clearing leaves, sticks and other debris. Small gaps in the roof drainage system can widen because of ice buildup. In the springtime, these new gaps can cause moisture or meltwater to backup beneath the roof, causing leaks. This issue can be avoided by applying a silicon or latex-based caulk that will provide a watertight seal over the gap.

PACE: Making Fall Home Improvements Affordable

These maintenance projects can lead to energy savings over the winter, but are they affordable? Since many fall projects lead to a more efficient home, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing could be the answer. This option, approved by local governments, is a green financing option designed to help property owners make upgrades that increase energy efficiency and water conservation. If you are considering larger home improvement upgrades, a PACE program will help you pay for it over time (as a line item on your annual property taxes). By selecting this option, you could get the work done before winter and then pay it off using your potential savings on energy costs over time.