Get Your Home Ready With Our Fall Maintenance Checklist

Fall weather is right around the corner! It’s likely you’ll be using your furnace and fireplace to warm your home for the first time in several months. When you turn them on for the first time without taking the proper safety precautions, there is a greater risk of fire and damage to your home. You can save yourself headaches and costly repair bills by taking care of things ahead of time.

Use our Fall Maintenance Checklist to keep your family and home safe and prepare for the chilly days ahead. Even the smallest tasks on this list can make a big difference in the comfort level of your home throughout the colder months.

Replace the batteries in smoke and CO detectors. Don’t forget to test both smoke and CO detectors to make sure that they’re working properly. A detector should be installed on every floor of your home, including basements.

Reinforce your doors and windows. Check for air leaks in caulking and seals and repair accordingly. Gaps and leaks can account for 10% of your energy bills. Add weather stripping for cost-effective protection and comfort.

Check your fire extinguishers. Make sure that your fire extinguisher hasn’t expired (they usually need to be replaced after six years), and inspect the pressure gauge, lock pin, and discharge nozzle. Every home needs at least one fire extinguisher, however, it’s recommended to have one per floor and to keep one in or near the kitchen.

Add a humidifier to your home. If you tend to have dry winters, the air can be bad for your health and your home. Add a centralized humidifier to your home to help make it more comfortable for everyone. If you already have a humidifier, replace old filters and clean out the inside to keep it running efficiently.

Use your programmable thermostat or have one installed. Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature at night can save you significant amounts on your energy bills.

Inspect your wood burning stove. A wood burning stove can be a great way to heat or add extra warmth to your home. Ensure that it doesn’t become a safety hazard by performing regular inspections of the stovepipe, look for corrosion or cracks, check safety features, and make sure the stove is installed to manufacturer specifications.

Inspect your fireplace. Whether you use your fireplace often during the winter or not, you should inspect it every year before the weather turns. Your best bet is to hire a professional chimney sweep to come out to clean and inspect your entire chimney and fireplace. If you would rather inspect your chimney yourself, check for things like flue blockages, cracks or damage, and creosote build-up.

Have your furnace tuned-up and inspected. Have us come out and inspect your furnace. You could be losing up to 5% efficiency of your furnace if it’s not being properly maintained. It’s a good idea to have us come out once a year, however, if you feel your furnace needs a repair or inspection sooner, give us a call at any time. Whether your primary heat source is your gas heater or electric furnace, you’ll want to make sure it’s in good working order before the weather turns.

We provide 24/7 emergency repair and installation on all of our brands – but don’t wait until the cold weather hits! Prevent potential problems and schedule an inspection from Columbia Heating & Cooling today.