Green Tips for Preparing your Home for Autumn

[thecentristword]

Does anyone have any others? For more details (on 3-6), check out the full post: http://www.caelusgreenroom.com/2011/09/19/6-green-tips-to-prepare-your-home-for-autumn/#sthash.bu0xMxjl.dpuf

1. Check for gaps around your windows and doors – Check for leaks by lighting some incense and watching the smoke or trying to insert a piece of paper through the seams of doors and windows. Eliminating leaks will increase the overall efficiency of your home heating and cooling.

2. Do a walk-around outside you house – Be sure to walk around the entire perimeter of your house and bring in the summer items you put out, such as extension cords (which could be a shock hazard), furniture (which would suffer during winter weather), plants (which would die in a freeze) and lawn tools and hoses (which may either freeze or be rust during winter weather). By bringing in your summer gear, you will prevent possessions from being destroyed in the coming weather, prevent potentially expensive plumbing problems and avoid shock hazards.

3. Manage your hazardous materials

4. Properly close down your air conditioner

5. Prepare your furnace for winter

6. Properly prepare your lawn equipment for the winter

[ahtohg]

1. Good tips

Shouldn't forget to clean your gutters before all of the leaves begin to fall. Good to do that again in December.

[Kaleva]

2. This thermal leak detector might be useful for some people

http://www.blackanddecker.com/power-tools/TLD100.aspx

A video on how to use it.

[thecentristword]

3. good idea

can make a huge difference to identify big leaks

[Kaleva]

4. It's something I'd like to get when I have the money to spare.

For those who live in older homes, I think it'd pay for itself rather quickly.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Good tips.

I don't have much to add, but if you need to insulate pipes, make sure you do that. To save money, use newspaper to wrap and hold it in place with duct tape.

Also, if you have a chimney or any vents for woodstoves, etc., make sure they are cleaned.