How to Prep Your Home for the Change of Seasons

This post on how to prep your home for the change of seasons is sponsored by One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® technicians. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love the change of seasons, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not jealous of those of you that get all four seasons and feel that change much sooner than I do here in the south! I jokingly like to say we have four seasons here in Louisiana: hot, hotter, hottest, and a little hot! We don’t get a real fall — and I’ve had my fair share of real falls while living in New England to compare it to — and our winters usually consist of a mix of hot and cold.

Unfortunately, I’m no stranger to wearing shorts and sandals on Christmas (bummer because I actually love the cold!) thanks to our crazy weather, but I’m also no stranger to watching the temps go from 80 to 30 overnight due to a random cold front. For those unfamiliar, the weather in Southern Louisiana is unpredictable, to say the least, so you’ve always got to be prepared!

Luckily for some of you, you’ve already felt the crisp cool air of fall, and you know winter will be well on its way soon enough! Just in time for the change of seasons, I thought it would be perfect timing to share this friendly reminder on how to prep your home for the change of seasons.As a first time homeowner, I like to make sure I am doing everything correctly! I’ve learned a lot over the past year since I’ve moved into my new home, and I’d love to share my experience and life lessons with those of you that are in a similar position. Regardless of the time of year, you can put these tips into action, and by doing so, you’ll be sure to save some money on your future utility bills too! 

HOW TO PREP YOUR HOME FOR THE CHANGE OF SEASONS

Balance Your Air Ducts

Balancing air ducts can sometimes be an easy fix for heating and cooling issues in both new and old homes. If you’re having heating or cooling issues, you may just need your air ducts properly balanced by a professional. If a particular room in your home stays significantly warmer or colder than the rest of the home, this is a good indicator. I had this issue in my newly built home, and it happens to be a common problem that needs to be tweaked once or twice upon installation.

One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating® technicians offer a quick and convenient solution for this. Part of the Direct Energy family of brands, One Hour locations are independently owned and operated. They provide local, quality service, backed by a national brand you can trust. I recommend not trying to do this task yourself, but hire a professional instead. One Hour technicians receive ongoing HVAC training and are highly-skilled to solve any HVAC issue to make sure you are comfortable inside, no matter what the weather is like outside. To find a location near you, visit their website or call 855-One-Hour.

Change the Direction of Your Ceiling Fan

The direction your ceiling fan should rotate depends on the time of year! For the winter months, make sure your fan rotates clockwise – this will help distribute rising heat in your home. For the summer months, counter-clockwise rotation is best for a nice cool breeze. Don’t forget to check this before each change of season! 

Clean Your Fireplace and Chimney

Before the winter months are in full swing, make sure your chimney and fireplace are both clean! This is often overlooked, but can be extremely dangerous and lead to a house fire in the event that there is buildup and you light the fireplace. A professional will know what to look for and can do a thorough inspection for your safety.

Have Your Ducts Cleaned

Another easy fix to improve the airflow in your home is to have your ducts cleaned. New construction dust, old dust buildup, and other factors can all affect your airflow. Your heating or cooling system could be overworking itself due to dirty ducts, so having your ducts cleaned could not only help improve the level of comfort in your home, but it can also help save you money on utilities. I recommend calling a One Hour technician for this task, too. 

Winterize Your AC

First, don’t forget to change your filter before the change of the season! If you live in a cold region, you’ll also need to protect your outdoor AC unit to prevent damage from ice and snow. 

Winterize Your Pipes

Depending on your region and how your home was built, your pipes may be at risk during a freeze if they are exposed. Here in Louisiana, it is common for pipes to be exposed outside the home, and if they’re not properly cared for, they can burst during a hard freeze. This is an expensive fix nobody wants to deal with, but luckily this can easily be avoided by wrapping them with proper insulation.

What steps are you taking to prepare your home for the change of seasons? Share your tips in the comments below!

This post on how to prep your home for the change of seasons is sponsored by One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® technicians. All thoughts and opinions are my own.