With the colder months of the year in touching distance, many of us will hunker down indoors in the warmth. Before you hibernate, here are four important jobs you should carry out to get your home in good shape for the cooler season ahead.
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1. Check windows and doors
Inspect your windows and doors for any problem areas that may be letting in draughts. Get these fixed to insulate your home properly and keep your heating bills down. According to House Beautiful heat loss through windows is responsible for 25-30% of heating energy use.
2. Upgrade your security
Burglars are more likely to strike during the darker months of the year, so reduce the risk of theft to your property by making your home as secure as possible. If you haven’t got an alarm system, now is a good time to get one installed. Alternatively, get an existing alarm system serviced to ensure it’s working properly. Motion sensors placed outside the house also deter would-be intruders, and if you do go out, set indoor timer switches so that it looks like your home is occupied.
3. Service your boiler
As the temperature drops, you’ll be relying on your heating system more and more to keep your home warm. Before the chill factor sets in, now is a good time to make sure your boiler is fighting fit for the months ahead. Book an appointment with your local Bristol boiler service gas engineer, for example. A good Boiler Service Bristol engineer may also be able to recommend ways to maximise the use of your heating system and keep those all-important costs down.
4. Weatherproof your garden
Don’t neglect your garden when getting your home autumn ready, as many items could get damaged if they’re left outside during wet and cold weather. Store away garden furniture, plant pots and other items such as toys in your shed or garage. Clear debris from paths so surfaces don’t become slippy, and remove any leaves that have gathered in gutters or drains. Now is a good time to visually inspect gates and fences to assess whether they are in good enough condition to cope with potentially stormy weather. Take a look at your trees and shrubs, too, and remove any that are rotting or might be dangerous if the weather turns nasty.