Fall Prep
FALL IS COMING Y’ALL. Mid-August is when we start making our plans for winterizing the house. We usually put our plan into action around the first week of September and hopefully have it finished by October 1st. This is an important step in keeping comfortable for the season and keeping our utility bill down. Freezing your ass off all winter is not a normal minimalist activity. Below is a list of things we usually do before the first cold snap of the season.
Have your furnace serviced: Some people don’t consider this a necessity, but we definitely do. Why? Because we don’t want to fucking die of carbon monoxide poisoning, that’s why. Call out someone to check everything, they’ll read your CO2 levels with the furnace running and they’ll tune it all up so it’s as efficient as possible. Also check your supply of filters and the batteries in your smoke and CO2 alarms.
Insulate any exposed pipes: You can use rags, foam or heat tape to wrap any exposed pipes to prevent bursting. This is especially important for ones in crawlspaces or in unheated exterior rooms like utility or laundry rooms.
Check the batteries in your alarms: We said this a minute ago. Do it again.
Get your water heater a blankie: If you don’t already have one, get a thick fiberglass blanket for your water heater and wrap it up tightly. The extra insulation will save you some dollars on your electric or gas bill, since the unit won’t have to work as hard to keep your water up to temperature. Also, insulate the pipes going to and from it so you don’t lose heat between the heater and your shower faucet.
Check windows and doors for drafts: Use a stick of lit incense to check of leaks around windows and doors, and fill that shit in with spray foam, stripping, caulk, or any kind of insulation you can get your hands on. Even if you did this last year, check it again. Insulation can shrink with age, so even if you didn’t have any leaks last year, you could this year. Also take a look at basement/attic doors or crawlspace entries.
Flush out your water heater: This should be a twice yearly chore to keep sediment from building up and damaging your device. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Reverse your ceiling fans: And clean them while you’re at it.
Close up your chimney: with a chimney balloon or other device, if you aren’t going to light any fires. If you never use your fireplace, you should keep it shut and insulated all year round to keep your climate control in and pests out.
Have your chimney swept: if you’re going to use it. This is important, guys. This could fucking burn your house down if you don’t get it done. If you’ve recently moved to a new house and your chimney is of unknown status, get it inspected before you use it.
Set up an emergency kit: Candles, a propane heater, space blankets, etc. Whatever might be appropriate for a winter storm or power outage in your area, get it ready.
Clean and prep your car: Vacuum it and make it smell pretty, then fill up on antifreeze and that lovely purple windshield fluid that’s got de-icer in it. Get an oil change if it’s time and check all your other fluids. Keep an emergency kit in there too with flares/flashlights, blankets and high protein snacks.
Clean your gutters: Or have a professional do it. Don’t feel bad if you forget. Hey, right now there’s a small pine tree growing in one of ours. Fuck gutters, man.
Wrap your outdoor faucets: You can buy devices that will protect them, or wrap them in towels and cover those with heavy plastic. This is important. You don’t want burst pipes. Also drain all the water out of your hose and put it away.
Cover your A/C: Don’t do it just yet, but have the supplies ready.
Get a new thermostat if you need one: A lot of people harp on about programmable or smart thermostats. As much as we love technology here at BrokestMinimalist, we think this is unnecessary. Just get off your ass and change the temperature, you lazy shitbag. That being said, if you’ve got an old thermostat you may want to invest in a newer, more accurate one. A $40 investment could make a difference in your bills.
Cover your windows: If you don’t have storm windows or double pane insulated windows, you’ll want to cover your windows with clear plastic and heavy curtains. They make shrink wrap kits, but even a clear plastic shower curtain taped around the edges will make a difference in trapping the cold air away from your living spaces. Cover the plastic with heavy thermal curtains. These can be purchased or made. In a pinch you can use blankets. If you have blackout curtains that you use in summer, they should do well in winter too. (Remember to open them during the day to take advantage of that sweet, sweet solar warmth!)
Prep your bedding: Get a heated mattress pad and put it on your bed. You don’t have to use it yet, just have it ready. Make sure you’ve got plenty of blankets and hit the thrift store if you don’t. Dig out your flannel sheets.
Prep your wardrobe: If you’ve got your winter clothes packed away, drag them out and make sure they are clean enough. If they smell like moth balls, go ahead and wash them. Check out your gloves, hats, scarves, coats, boots, and socks and make sure they all have mates and there aren’t any holes.
Clean up your yard: Mow the grass one last time, pick up sticks and rocks and toys or tools that might get in the way of leaf raking, and check around the foundation of your house for any damage or obstructions that might interfere with rainwater flowing away from your house.
Empty out your lawnmower: Let the gas run out, change the oil, spark plug and filters, then cover it and put it away.
Get a load of firewood: and start collecting sticks and newspaper for kindling, if you plan on using a fireplace for heat. Make sure your wood is well-seasoned and store it properly.
Make your energy saving plan: Check out our posts Broke Heating and Broke Heating Part 2 for tips on staying cozy without ruining your finances. Once you’ve got everything in place it’s not as complicated as it looks, so start making plans now to get everything winterized and laid out for the season.
Links: Home Inspector’s list of recommendations, Home Logic, The Simple Dollar
