Fall Prep Starts Now: Must-Do Tasks for September
Summer wrapped up fast this year. One week we were grilling and sweating, and next it’s football on TV and pumpkin-flavored everything at the store. The mornings are cooler, the days are getting shorter, and like clockwork, that Green Day song pops into my head — “Wake Me Up When September Ends.”
While the weather’s still decent, it’s a smart move to knock out a few projects around the house, the kind that doesn’t just save energy but make your home feel a whole lot more comfortable once the cold really shows up.
One of the easiest things to check is your windows. If you’ve got cold spots or feel a little breeze coming through, it’s probably not the glass, it’s more likely air sneaking around the window frame. A little caulk or some spray foam can seal that right up. If you’re feeling ambitious, pop off the trim inside and foam around the rough opening. That’s where most of the heat loss comes from anyway. It doesn’t take a ton of time, and it’ll make a big difference when winter rolls in.
Another thing to think about is insulation. A lot of homes don’t have enough, especially in the attic. But insulation isn’t just about the attic. Walls matter just as much. If your home’s walls are older or were built before modern insulation standards, they might not be holding heat like you’d expect. This can leave rooms feeling colder than they should, even when the furnace is running. Over time, insulation settles or shifts, and some older homes might not have any at all in certain walls.
Calling an insulation company to come out and check your home’s insulation levels can be a smart move. They can assess both attic and wall insulation and suggest improvements. Sometimes adding blown-in insulation to walls or topping off the attic can make a big difference in comfort and energy bills. It’s not always the flashiest upgrade, but it’s one of the best ways to make your house feel warmer and more even all winter long.
Gutters are another easy thing to overlook. If they’re plugged up from summer storms or just full of leaves and debris, that can cause problems once freezing weather hits. Ice buildup can sneak under shingles and lead to roof damage, and that’s a headache you don’t want in the middle of winter. Taking a little time to clean out gutters now will help protect your home and keep water flowing where it’s supposed to.
While you’re thinking ahead, test the heat. Switch your thermostat over to heat mode and let it run for a bit to make sure it kicks on and heats the house. Change the furnace filter too, a clean filter helps your system run smoother and keeps the air inside fresher. Knowing your heat works before the cold hits is just one less thing to worry about.
For me, this is also the time we usually close the pool and unplug the garage fridge. It mostly holds drinks and popsicles during the summer, so there’s no reason to keep it running all winter. If we need it for a gathering, I just plug it back in a couple days ahead of time.
September can feel like a busy month, the summer stuff is wrapping up, and the cold weather hasn’t quite arrived yet. Take advantage of this perfect weather window to get a few simple things done that will make a big difference once the temps drop. A little caulk here, a little insulation there, cleaning gutters and checking the heat. These small steps add up to a warmer, more comfortable home all season long.