Don’t Fall Behind, Prepare Your Home For Autumn

Updating your home is easier while it’s still warm, so now is the time to prepare for autumn. Here are a few tips: 

Declutter your gutters. By simply clearing gutters of debris, you help prevent the formation of ice dams in the months to come, which may cause water to leak into your home.

It’s the little things. Simple home maintenance now is the best defense against a big problem later, such as a fire or leakage. Attic and dryer vents, exhaust ducts and sump pumps should be inspected this time of year. Be sure to check the devices that help prevent injury, too, like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Don’t let your HVAC wreak havoc. Regularly replacing filters and maintaining adequate ventilation in your heat, ventilation and air conditioning systems will keep your home comfortable as the weather changes.

Energy efficiency is the key to saving money as it gets colder. For example:

Seal it up. Adding weather stripping to doors and windows helps seal places in your home where air may be coming in or out. The more you seal, the more you save–in fact, Energy Star estimates you can save up to 10 percent on your heating bills. 

Insulate before it’s too late. It is important to check the condition of the insulation in both your walls and attic. Also, insulating exposed pipes can help prevent them from bursting as the temperature drops. 

Check your overall energy efficiency. There are lots of ways to make sure your home is energy efficient, but if you’re not sure where to start, the U.S. Department of Energy has a helpful DIY energy audit checklist. 

Is your home Energy Star or EPA Certified? Be sure to check certification requirements in your area because making your home energy efficient may qualify you for a Home Safety discount on your home policy. Ask us about your eligibility today. 

Contact us for all of your insurance needs! 

Illinois and Wisconsin residents, at R Hobbs Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (847) 680-0888 or send us a note at [email protected]. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Photo by Wynand van Poortvliet on Unsplash

Content source: Kemper