With the cold weather already around us, it’s time to prepare your home for winter, which will help lower your utility bills and protect your investment.

Several items to add to your to-do list for the exterior of your home are to clean the gutters,  as this will prevent water damage to your roof, siding and trim, and also prevent any leaks. Also consider restocking your winter essentials, such as salt or ice melt, along with removing screen windows and replacing them with storm windows.

Inside your home, having your chimney cleaned and inspected is a safe caution that should be taken to prevent any unfortunate events, along with testing your smoke detectors.

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If you have a ceiling fan, reverse the direction of the blades to clockwise. This will push down heated air from the ceiling, which could allow you to turn the heat down several degrees.

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How are you getting your home ready for winter?