Your central forced air and heating systems rely on clean, fresh filters to deliver quality air inside your home. Ideally, filters are changed monthly. However, you should change them every season at a minimum.

According to Home Depot, “Air filter replacement is important because it can extend furnace life, reduce energy bills and improve indoor air quality. Changing the air filter on a regular basis can improve your indoor air quality and help your HVAC system run more efficiently.”

Some homeowners replace smoke detector batteries during daylight savings twice a year, but replacing them with the change of each season is another option. Depending on the size of your home, you can stagger the replacements, tackling the upstairs twice a year and the downstairs on the other half. Beyond replacing the batteries every season, it’s also essential to test the alarms monthly to ensure they are working correctly.

Don’t forget the fun part of a new season – decorating your home! It’s time to get out your fall decor, add the colorful wreath to the door, and stock up on your favorite scented candles. 

Skip the clutter and trinkets, and instead, focus on evoking all of the senses around your home. Add texture and color with throw pillows and blankets, find a new fall playlist to turn on in the mornings, and swap out some photos with your favorite fall memories. 

Gutter maintenance is an ongoing task during the fall season. Falling leaves and sticks are likely to clog up your gutters and can lead to water damage indoors or leaks in your basement from water puddling around the base of your home. 

Raking leaves is one of the most practical fall activities to prepare your lawn for winter. Get the whole family involved on a warm weekend afternoon and make it fun, keeping your kids healthy through moving their bodies! Bring in your outdoor furniture, giving it a good cleaning before storing it away. 

Put away water hoses that can be damaged from freezing temperatures and cut back your shrubs and greenery to prepare them for winter. The more of these outdoor tasks you tackle now, the less work you’ll have to do as the cold weather hits.