Prepare for Winter With a Home Energy Audit

Take a few minutes out of your pool time this month to do these four tasks.

Then you'll have more time to eat popcorn in front of the fire next January.

#1 Call the Snow Plow Now

Father shoveling winter snow in his driveway — Image: Maria Manco/Offset

If you live in snow-prone areas, now's the time to get your name on the snow plow contractor's schedule. By the time your car's buried in the driveway, their rosters will be full.

5 Gotta Do’s in April for a Worry-Free Summer

Home Maintenance Tips

Battle bugs before they bite (or sting!) you — and check the attic for problems.

Image of cellphone reminder April do this now spring tasks lawncare, ac with background raindrops

The 16 Incredibly Useful Rules Every Organized House Follows

Storage Ideas & Hacks

Homes don’t clean themselves. But these easy-peasy rules (wake and make!) will make you feel like they do.

house interior of organized home living room with leather sofa, green armchair, storage, table and plants

11 Dangerous Trees You Should Never Plant in Your Yard

Slideshow

Some trees are more trouble than they’re worth. Before you head to a nursery, see our slideshow. Then, see even more trees readers hate.

Silver Maple | Bad Trees | Tree Choices for the Yard

#2 Schedule Furnace Service

Preparing your furnace illustration — Image: CSA-Archive/Getty

Get ready for sweater weather — and beat the rush — by scheduling the annual fall service for your furnace now. If you don't already have one, ask about your HVAC company's twice-a-year maintenance plan. Often, you can get discounted rates, not just for the service plan, but for larger repairs, too.

#3 Get a Home Energy Audit

Thermal image from a home energy audit — Image: Ivansmuk/Getty

Save money this winter by scheduling a professional energy audit now. Not only will you learn where your home is prone to energy loss, your auditor may recommend inexpensive ways to save money (like caulking around the baseboards). Energy.gov has info on how pro and DIY energy audits work. Find energy auditors through the Residential Energy Services Network.

#4 Plant Trees

New tree planted to prepare for winter — Image: @sp8it, photo

Trees increase home value, so give yours the best start by planting them at the right time. In zones 4-8 (which is most of the United States), that's late summer and early fall. This gives them time to establish roots before next summer's heat and drought.