Local community and real estate information for Cheshire CT by your Cheshire Real Estate Experts, Sally Bowman Real Estate

6 Fall Tips for Your Cheshire Connecticut Home

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

by Sally Bowman Real Estate

Prior to a career in Cheshire real estate, I owned and operated RW Hine Hardware in Cheshire Connecticut. It was there where I built my business on the simple, yet highly valued practices of helping people and solving problems.

I may not work at RW Hine anymore, but I never forgot those years of experience. To this day, I still love rolling up my sleeves and helping people when it comes to fixing up their homes.

Each season brings a new reason to prepare your home for the weather ahead. As I'm sure you've all noticed, Fall is in full force in Cheshire Connecticut (if not pushing Winter already). It's time for all of us to roll up our sleeves and get to work to keep our Cheshire homes running smoothly from Fall to Winter.

6 Fall Tips for the Cheshire Home

1. Tune up your heating system. It is definitely worth the $80 - $100 to have a technician inspect your furnace or heat pump to make sure it is running as efficiently as possible. If you need some references for a technician in Cheshire, I would be happy to recommend one. Just email me at Sally.Bowman@gmail.com.

2. Invest in a programmable thermostat. According to Energy Star, you can save $180 annually on heating (and cooling) bills if you keep the thermostat set to no higher than 70 degrees F while at home, and no more than 62 degrees F when you are away.

3. Caulk your windows and doors. If a gap is any bigger than the width of a nickel, you need to reapply exterior caulk. Also add weather stripping around your doors. You should not be able to see daylight from the inside of your home through the door. RW has all the caulk that you need.

4. Protect your home from frozen pipes. There are all types of protectant available - insulation, heat tape, seal. Disconnecting garden hoses is always a good idea too.

5. Clean and store seasonal outdoor furniture: Clean and dry any outdoor lawn chairs, tables and umbrellas. Store cushions in dry area to prevent cracking, and fading over the fall and winter months.

6. Prepare your fireplace: For those of you that use your fireplace more than your central heater in the fall and winter months, you had better make sure it is in good condition. Discard old ashes and ensure the damper is open to allow air to freely move through the chimney. If the air is becoming cold, close back the damper after cleaning. Check the damper handle and springs to ensure the flue is operating correctly. Hire a professional chimney sweep if needed.

As a long time Cheshire resident, I can recommend the best service men, businesses, and stores that Cheshire has to offer. Just give me a call or shoot me an e-mail and I'll send you back a name and a phone number! If you're looking for a little help with Cheshire Real Estate, of course, I can help with that too.