As the days get shorter with the children back in school, prepare for the cooler weather by getting organized and completing basic maintenance on your home.
You’ll save money, time and space.
Keep it moving
After heavy summer use, clean out gunk from sliding glass door tracks. Then apply lubricant to prevent sticking and squeaking.
A handy can of lubricant is also great for lubricating zippers and suitcase wheels, and removing crayon from walls and sticky residue from metal and glass.
Clothing exchange
As the temperature cools, wash summer must-haves like beach towels, swimsuits and summer clothing.
Then donate gently used pieces your family has outgrown. Toss stained, ripped or broken items, and store the rest in airtight containers.
Now you’ll have more room in closets and drawers for fall must-haves like umbrellas, coats and sweaters.
Cut the cost
Most people only think to run their ceiling fans during the summer, but many units come with a switch that reverses the direction of the blades.
Switching the blades’ rotation to clockwise from counterclockwise makes the room warmer.
Air pooled to the ceiling is circulated back into the living space, which can cut your heating costs as much as 10 percent.
Protect your investment
Furnace maintenance is key to ensuring it stays in good condition throughout the heating season.
Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. To prevent expensive problems, check filters once a month and replace or clean as needed.
If replacing your filter once a month is a hassle, consider switching to a permanent filter, such as an electrostatic or HEPA filter, which can remove 99 percent of airborne particles.