The temperatures are finally beginning to drop, along with the leaves here so it’s time to get cozy and get your house in the spirit for fall weather and fall fun!
Below is a list of our favorite fall projects that will get your family and your home ready for the change of seasons.
Schedule Your Fall Tune-Up
At Variable Comfort Solutions, we recommend getting your heating and cooling unit maintained twice a year, typically in the “off” seasons. That means every spring, you should have your cooling unit inspected to make sure it is ready and in working condition to keep your home cool all summer long. And every fall, get your heating unit inspected so that it keeps you warm all winter long!
There are many benefits to getting this seasonal maintenance done, including:
- Prevents unexpected breakdowns, when you need your unit most
- Extends the lifespan of your HVAC unit
- Improves the efficiency of your heating and cooling system
- Lowers your energy bills
Build a Reading Nook
The perfect fall day would consist of sitting inside, wrapped in a warm blanket with a cup of coffee in one hand, a book in the other as the rain falls outside. The perfect place to do this? In a reading nook of course!
One of our favorite fall projects is building a reading nook next to a window or just in a cozy part of your home. They’re quite simple to make, especially if you can find a pre-built seat. Then all you’ll need is some cozy blankets, and accent pillows to make this a spot you’ll never want to leave!
Seal the Cracks
According to the United States Department of Energy, about 25 to 30 percent of the heat generated by your home is lost through your windows, which is why it’s important to replace your windows or supplement existing windows with a heat-retaining glaze.
However, this isn’t the only way your home loses heat. A significant amount of heat is lost around the frame of your windows and your doors. Instead of letting your heating unit work harder to maintain the set temperature, take steps to reduce these air leaks. We would recommend using caulking or weather stripping around your doors and windows to seal these gaps.
Construct a Fire Pit
Just because the temperatures have dropped, it doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy some time outside! One of the best ways to do this is by building a fire pit in your yard. That way, you’ll be able to stay nice and warm with your family and friends in this cozy outdoor environment.
The best part about this project is that you can make it as simple or complex as you’d like. If you’re going for a simple fire pit, all you’ll need are some retaining blocks, some pavers, and a stack of firewood. Oh, and don’t forget the s’mores ingredients, because what’s a firepit without s’mores?
Set Up A Space Heater
Space heaters are great for the areas of your home that aren’t reached by central heating like your garage, or add-on to the house, however, you need to make sure that you set your space heater up safely.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 1,200 residential fires are started every year because of space heaters being used incorrectly.
Here are our top tips for using your space heater correctly:
- Never operate a damaged space heater
- Do not plug your space heater into an extension cord for power
- Never leave the heater plugged in when you are not in the room
- Make sure your space heater has the proper safety labels before purchasing
- Keep a 3 feet radius around the space heater so that it can’t catch anything on fire
For all of your home heating questions and needs, contact our team of experts at Variable Comfort Solutions. You can either visit our website for more details about how we can help or give us a call at 304-443-9255.
