Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Fall

Winter will be here before you know it! While it may still feel like summer outside now, this is the perfect time to start preparing your home for the cold weather ahead.

Heating System Maintenance

Start by setting up an appointment with your local authorized Carrier dealer to have your furnace and heating system inspected and serviced.

An annual inspection is important to make sure your heating system is working properly and operating at peak performance this winter.

Having your heating system inspected now, rather than waiting until cold weather arrives, will avoid the last minute rush and ensure that you won’t be left shivering on that first cold morning.

It’s also a good idea to inspect your heating ductwork annually, and seal up any leaks with metal foil duct tape followed by duct mastic.

Be sure to change the air filter on your furnace every month or two during cold, winter weather. Using a quality air filter and replacing it regularly will help keep the air in your home clean and allow your HVAC system to run more efficiently.

Also, be sure to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace them if needed.

Sealing Up Cracks

Sealing up cracks and gaps around the outside of your home is a great way to keep your house warmer and save energy on your heating bills this winter.

Start by carefully examining the outside of your house for cracks or holes. Fill any cracks with a quality exterior caulking and holes with expanding foam.

Next, examine the weatherstripping around entry doors and windows for gaps and air leaks.

Adjust any weatherstripping that doesn’t fit properly, or replace it with new weatherstripping.

Pay particular attention to thresholds under entry doors, since it’s easy for gaps there to escape notice.

To seal gaps under doors, adjust or replace the rubber threshold strip, or install additional weatherstripping, such as the Duck® Brand Double Draft Seal.

Duck® Double Draft Seal is easy to install and seals out drafts both inside and out. It fits doors up to 36” wide, doesn’t require nails or other fasteners, and will not damage doors.

Windows can be another major source of heat loss in your home during cold weather.

Installing Duck® Brand Roll-On Window Film on the inside of windows prevents heat loss by trapping a cushion of insulating air between the plastic film and glass.

Duck® Roll-On Window Film Kits are easy to install and remove. After the special shrink wrap film has been applied, a hot air hair blower is used to remove any wrinkles in the plastic film.

Preparing for Severe Weather

Severe weather can strike at any time of year, from summer thunderstorms and winter blizzards to fall hurricanes and spring tornados. A portable generator can be worth its weight in gold in the event of an extended power outage due to severe weather.

The Generac iQ2000 portable generator not only provides security in a storm; the lightweight, quiet design make it the perfect companion for powering DIY home improvement projects, camping outings, and tailgating at football games.

State-of-the-art sound mitigation technology in the Generac iQ2000, combined with advanced electronics, greatly reduces noise. Three engine speeds and an intuitive Turbo mode saves fuel and reduces noise while delivering maximum power when needed.

Generac iQ2000 features include:

• • GENERAC® OHV engine that delivers long life and reliable power.

• • Compact, lightweight design provides portable power.

• • Exclusive PowerDial™ integrates start/run/stop functions into one simple-to-use dial.

• • Smart LED dashboard shows fuel level, remaining run time, and wattage use.

• • Generates 2000 starting watts and 1600 running watts of power.

• Engineered and built in the USA and comes with a three-year limited warranty.

Taking these simple home improvement steps now will give you a big head start on the cold, winter weather ahead!

Watch Cool Fall Home Maintenance Tips to find out more.