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11
8 Ways to Prepare Your Home This Fall
September is here! Now is the perfect time to tackle household projects that will preserve the value of your home in the long run. Here are eight things you can do today to prepare your home for colder weather.
Prepare the Interior of Your Home
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Declutter
Due to COVID, the elements, or a combination of the two, you will likely be home quite a lot this fall and winter. Do not wait until then to sort through and donate the clothing, furniture, and knick-knacks that are cluttering up your spare bedroom and basement. Your house will feel refreshed, and the newly-found space can be converted into the best home office, workout room, or reading nook on the block.
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Schedule a Flue Cleaning
Nothing's better than a glowing fire on a chilly night, but before you set that first log alight, be sure to have your fireplace flue professionally serviced. A dirty chimney is a hazardous chimney. Over 22,000 chimney fires occur every year in the U.S. Make sure that you can enjoy your future fires worry-free.
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Have Your HVAC Serviced
Don't wait until that first freezing night to find out that your heating system has burnt out. Change the filters, and schedule inspection and maintenance of your furnace. To help you remember every year, check with your HVAC contractor to see about setting up an annual appointment for inspection.
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Evaluate Energy Efficiency
Once you ensure your furnace is running correctly, make sure your home can retain its warmth. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the heat lost through windows is responsible for 25-30 percent of heating energy use. Check for and seal drafts around doors, windows, and mail slots to ensure your house (and wallet) will be ready when the cold wind blows. MidAmerican Energy also offers a HomeCheck Online tool for customers. You can assess your energy use as a whole, view a chart of what uses the most energy in your home, and find out ways you can save.
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Test Your Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
According to the American Red Cross, the majority of house fires occur in the fall and winter months. Additionally, having your house sealed to prevent heat loss encourages carbon monoxide build-up. Now is an excellent time to make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly in case of an emergency.
Prepare the Exterior of Your Home
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Clean and Protect Your Gutters
Fall is prime time for leaves to clog up gutters and cause drainage issues. Scoop out sticks and leaves, then flush the gutters with a garden hose. Once cleared out, invest in gutter guards to prevent leaves from drifting in and becoming a gunky mess.
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Inspect Your Trees
As seen by the derecho storm that blew through Iowa last month, trees can cause significant damage. The added weight of snow and ice in the winter can be the breaking point for the branches of dead or dying trees. While autumn is not the recommended season to trim them, trees that are in bad shape or have dead branches should be inspected, especially if they are near your home. It may be the best choice to have them taken down before the elements do it for you.
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Improve Curb Appeal
Help your house stand out, even in the depths of winter, by completing cleaning and updates on the exterior of your home. Wash the windows, paint the shutters, and pressure wash the walkways for a clean, fresh look that will last until spring.
Need a little help tackling the to-do list? View our vendor page to find a trusted contractor.
Are you looking to make a move? Whether you plan to buy or sell, it is important to take preparatory steps as soon as you can. In addition to the tips above, take a look at our seller's guide for more information on getting the interior and exterior your property ready to list!
For more information, give us a call at 1.866.441.1776
