Fall prep to lower winter energy use
A good fall checklist covers air leaks, heating equipment servicing, insulation, controls and a few safety items. Doing it before the first hard freeze costs little and prevents the problems that show up in January.
What should you check outside the house?
- Gutters and downspouts. Clear them so meltwater drains away from the foundation.
- Grading. Soil near the foundation should slope away from the house.
- Outdoor taps. Disconnect hoses and shut off and drain exterior water lines to avoid burst pipes.
- Heat pump or air conditioner. Clear leaves and debris, and keep space around an outdoor heat pump so air and snow can move.
- Vents and flues. Make sure intake and exhaust terminations are clear of snow, nests and drifts.
- Roof. Look for loose shingles or flashing before snow arrives.
What should you do inside?
Start with air leaks. Check weatherstripping on exterior doors, caulk around window frames and replace any hardened sealant. Add foam gaskets to outlets on exterior walls and insulate and weatherstrip the attic hatch, which is a common large hole into a cold space.
Then the heating system. Book a service for the furnace or boiler before the busy season, replace the filter, and test the thermostat. Bleed air from hydronic radiators. If you have a heat pump, follow the steps in the heat pump maintenance checklist. Make sure carbon monoxide and smoke alarms have fresh batteries, and replace units past their stated life.
Check the humidifier if you have one. Winter air is dry, but too much humidity on cold windows leads to condensation and mould, so set the level to the outdoor temperature.
Which upgrades are worth considering?
If the attic has thin or uneven insulation, adding more is often the highest-value job. A home energy assessment can rank options for your house. Programs that support assessments and upgrades come and go, so check the Government of Canada energy-efficiency pages, your provincial energy ministry and your utility.
Equipment age deserves a look as well. See typical lifespans for what to expect, and if replacement is on the horizon, compare costs in furnace replacement cost. For ideas on lowering the bill without big spending, there is a practical list in how to lower your heating bill in winter.
A tight, well-insulated house is the reason a very low-energy neighbourhood like Drake Landing could heat 52 homes from stored summer sun. Your house will not reach that, but the same logic applies: shrink the heat demand first.
How do you set up controls and plan for outages?
Program your thermostat with a modest overnight set-back, as explained in smart thermostat savings. Know where your main water shut-off and electrical panel are, and keep a flashlight and a few days of drinking water on hand.
Gas furnaces and boilers depend on electricity for fans, pumps and controls, so a winter outage can stop heating even when gas is flowing. Think about a plan: warm layers, a safe way to stay warm and a place to go if the outage is long. Never run a barbecue, generator or camp stove indoors or in an attached garage, because of carbon monoxide.
If you will be away, keep the heat at a safe minimum, commonly about 12 to 15 degrees, so pipes do not freeze, and ask someone to check the house.
What belongs on the safety list?
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check that the furnace flue and fresh-air intake are clear, and know how to shut off water, gas and electricity. Keep space heaters away from curtains and bedding, and plug them directly into the wall. If you use a wood stove or fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned.
These steps cost almost nothing and are the ones that matter most when something goes wrong in the middle of a cold night.
Quick answers
When should I do my fall energy checks?
Before the first hard freeze, ideally in September or October, so repairs and servicing are not rushed during the coldest weather.
What is the single best fall energy upgrade?
For many older homes it is attic insulation and air sealing, but a home energy assessment can show what applies to your house.
How low can I set the heat while I am away?
Many guidelines suggest keeping it at about 12 to 15 degrees Celsius so pipes do not freeze, and having someone check the house.