Fall Maintenance and Energy-Efficiency Checklist for Your Home

Fall is the perfect time for football, corn mazes, leaf peeping, and a lot of other outside activities. Along with the neat fall fun, making a little time to do some maintenance and implement energy-saving tips before autumn turns to winter can save money and catch small issues before they turn into larger, more expensive problems.

Here are some maintenance and energy-efficiency tasks to check off the list in the fall so you can have an easier and more efficient winter.

Change Your Thermostats Settings

As the temperatures start to dip, set a schedule for your heating or cooling for the new season. This will cut your energy bill and help extend the life of your HVAC system.

According to the US Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% a year on your heating and cooling costs by turning your thermostat back 7-10°F from its normal setting for eight hours a day.

During winter months, the recommended thermostat settings for heating season are as follows:

Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction

Did you know the direction your ceiling fan turns can make a difference in how comfortable your home feels? In the summer, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.

As fall arrives and temperatures start to cool down, you should switch the direction of your ceiling fan blades to rotate clockwise. This will push warm air near the ceiling back into the room, making it feel more comfortable and requiring less heat from your furnace or heat pump.

Change Your Furnace or Heat Pump Filters

One of the most important and often overlooked fall home maintenance tasks is replacing the air filters to your air conditioning, heat pump, or furnace.

Dirty filters not only make your HVAC system work harder (and use more energy) but can also lead to poor indoor air quality.

To help improve the quality of your indoor air and keep your HVAC system running smoothly, we recommend you replace your filters at least once every three months — or more often if you have pets or someone in your household who suffers from allergies or asthma.

Use Your Windows Wisely

Your windows can help make your home a little warmer or a little cooler, and more energy efficient, if you take a few simple steps.

If you’re feeling drafts from your windows, you can cover them tightly, including the frame, with plastic film on the inside. Tight-fitting shades or drapes may help with draftiness as well.

Get Your HVAC System Serviced

Even if your HVAC is running ok at the moment, pros recommend having your HVAC checked and serviced twice a year: spring and fall.

Check Your Insulation

Checking the insulation up in your attic or down in your basement or crawl space is a good idea in the fall. When it gets colder, home insulation will keep heat inside.

Change the Battery in Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Fall is a great time to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace their batteries.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 59% of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke detector or one that didn’t work. So, ensuring your detectors are in good working order and have fresh batteries can help save lives.

Change Old Door and Window Seals

Cold weather can take a toll on your windows and doors, so it is important to inspect them each year to look for any damage that needs to be repaired, and make sure they are in good shape. One of the most common problems is broken or missing seals. Over time, the seals around your doors and windows can become dried out, cracked, or loose, letting in drafts and making your home less energy-efficient.

Tips for Better Energy Efficiency Year Round

Energy-efficient homes cost less to operate and are more comfortable to live in. Here are a few easy tips you can use to make your home more energy efficient this fall, and be ready for winter weather.

Install efficient appliances and fixtures

Electricity bills can be expensive, especially during fall and winter when we use more energy to heat our homes. One of the best ways to reduce energy costs is by installing efficient appliances and fixtures.

Educate your family about energy efficiency

One of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient is to educate your family about how to save energy. Simple things like turning off lights when you leave a room and wearing layers of clothing instead of turning up the heat can make a big difference.

Integrate smart technology into your home

Nowadays, there are all sorts of smart devices that can help you save energy and money, and prevent damage to your home. Smart thermostats can learn your heating and cooling preferences and automatically adjust the temperature to save energy when you're not home.

Get your home inspected by a professional

If you want to make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible, it is a good idea to get it inspected by a professional. A home energy audit checks how your home loses heat, or cold, mainly due to bad seals, cracks or wear in the home structure itself, or poor or lack of insulation, among other things.

Harness solar power

Solar power is a renewable energy source that can help you save money. With plenty of south-facing windows, your home can harness the power of the sun to provide heat in the winter and natural light all year long. You can also install solar panels on your roof to generate electricity, reduce your carbon footprint, and save money on your monthly electricity bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save energy in the fall?

Assess how you are using your thermostats and perhaps upgrade to a smart thermostat. Other ways to save energy include reversing your ceiling fans for the cooler time of year, replacing air filters, and seeing if doors and windows need new or updated caulking, sealing, or weatherstripping.

Is a home energy audit worth it?

A home energy audit is a good idea any time of the year. It can be especially worthwhile in the fall as checking for ways your home loses heat ahead of winter will give you time to make improvements or upgrades before it’s a major problem.

What can I do if I live in a drafty house?

If you’re feeling drafts around doors and windows, you can add, or remove and replace, caulking and weatherstripping where needed. Curtains or blinds can help block drafts, too. Installing new energy-efficient windows and doors can eliminate drafts in common problem areas, too.