1. A) Have your HVAC system serviced to ensure that everything is in good working order and the furnace is ready to keep you warm. Your HVAC system/s should be serviced twice a year.

1. B) If you have a fireplace, especially a wood burning one, it is recommended having it inspected and cleaned annually.

2. With most furnaces being gas operated, fall is a good time to test all your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and replace the batteries if they haven’t been replaced in a while. If the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are discolored and yellow, it is time to replace them. 

3. Leaves will be falling, clogging gutters and downspouts, which prevent rainwater from being redirected away from your home’s foundation. Have your gutters cleaned and make sure that the splash blocks or drain extensions are positioned and/or attached correctly to get water away from the foundation. 

4. Protect the exterior spigots from freezing temperatures and burst pipes. My preferred method is shutting off the water to the spigots and leaving them open to allow any trapped water to escape. Spigot covers may offer sufficient protection from freezing temperatures.

5. Drafts are more noticeable in cooler weather, so it is a good time to check for drafts and repair them. Window seals and door weatherstripping may be damaged and need replacing.