Summer is almost over, and the hint of fall is in the air. As you begin to prepare for this change of seasons, it’s a good time to take a look at your home and get it ready for the cold weather ahead.

These tips will help you prepare your home for fall and winter:

Start by Scheduling a No-Cost Home Energy Assessment

HomeWorks Energy is a Mass Save partner, which means that our qualified Home Energy Specialists can offer you a no-cost home energy assessment. Currently, we are offering virtual home energy assessments that allow you to get accurate information about the energy usage in your home in a way that is both safe and responsible. Here is what you can expect from this virtual experience:

  • Prior to your virtual appointment, you may be asked to take photographs of specific features in your home, such as light bulbs or your heating and cooling system. You will send those photographs to the Home Energy Specialist
  • Your Home Energy Specialist will call you at your scheduled date & time. As part of the consultation, the Specialist will provide you with detailed information about ways you can improve the efficiency of your home. On average, this phone conference lasts about an hour.
  • After the virtual meeting is complete, you will receive a detailed report about actionable steps you can take to reduce energy usage in your home.

Implement the Recommended Measures From Your No-Cost Home Energy Assessment

After you receive the detailed report with personalized recommendations from your Home Energy Specialist, you may want to consider implementing the recommended measures. For example, Autumn is an excellent time to have extra attic insulation installed. Insulation is often an affordable and quick solution to your energy usage issues. You also may want to think about air sealing and other measures that can reduce the amount of energy that escapes from your home.

Schedule Preventative Maintenance for Your Heating System

Late summer or early fall is the right time to book that preventative maintenance appointment with an experienced HVAC professional. At this appointment, your HVAC contractor can evaluate your heating system and identify any repairs that should be addressed. By scheduling a preventative maintenance appointment now, you can ensure that your heating system is in good working order before the weather changes. It can help you avoid that dreaded situation when your furnace or heating system stops working on the coldest day of the winter.

Think About Investing in a Smart Thermostat

If you want to go one step further in order to prepare your home for fall and winter this year, you should think about investing in a smart thermostat. HomeWorks Energy offers the REAX smart thermostat system, which has been proven to help people reduce their energy usage without compromising their comfort level in their own homes. A smart thermostat will learn the behaviors of the people in the home, monitor the activity levels, and automatically adjust the temperature as needed throughout the day. You can control these thermostat systems remotely, which makes them one of the most convenient options on the market.

Tidy Up the Exterior of Your Home

In addition to thinking about attic insulation or a smart thermostat, you also should take some time to complete routine yard work around the exterior of your home. Before the first snowfall, you will want to take care of several chores, including:

  • Trimming down tree branches that have grown over the summer. You don’t want tree branches hitting the exterior of your home or nearby power lines.
  • Cleaning your gutters to prevent them from clogging over the winter.
  • Draining outdoor faucets and disconnecting the hoses to prevent water damage to your home and its HVAC system.

In New England, the change in seasons can sometimes be dramatic. One day, you are enjoying the warm breezes of summer and those waterfront views, and the next day, those winds come in from the northeast and it’s time to get out your sweaters. Don’t let the swift seasonal change catch you by surprise this year. Be prepared by taking the steps necessary to get your heating system ready for the fall and winter months. To schedule your no-cost home energy assessment, contact HomeWorks Energy today at (781) 305-3319 ext. 2 or click here to schedule online.