When the leaves start changing colors and squirrels are scurrying around collecting nuts, you know it’s time for you to get your home ready for winter.

As energy costs continue to rise it’s important to make sure that any heat is kept inside your home. There are a few simple tips to ensure maximum energy efficiency. Check the ceiling of the top floor of your home. Insulation between the ceiling and your attic ensures that your heat source is heating your living area and not escaping to your attic. Loss of heat through the attic is the major cause of increased energy costs in most homes. There are many forms of insulation available in the marketplace today including blown-in insulation that is blown through a hose usually installed by professionals. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, there are many types of insulation including those that are easily installable with just a staple gun.

Keeping the heat inside is your main objective so check the seals on doors and windows. Replace weather stripping on doors and caulk windows. Window screens and screen doors should be covered or replaced with storm windows and doors.

If you have an older home and are using room air conditioners, cover them and check the seal around them to make sure that it is intact.

To ensure energy efficiency, it’s best to have your oil or gas furnace serviced. A dirty furnace uses more fuel to produce the same amount of heat. A programmable thermostat to monitor and adjust temperature levels is a great tool for keeping heat at lower temperatures when you’re not at home. The programmable thermostat is a real money-saver and provides convenience for homeowners with hectic schedules.

Keeping heat at 55 degrees or above is necessary to avoid frozen water lines. Even though the temperature is set at 55, the corners of your house may be at a lower temperature. A lower temperature could eventually cost you more if pipes freeze and burst.

If you have a fireplace in your home, make sure that the damper is working and that the chimney is clean. When you’re not using your fireplace, keep the damper closed so that hot air doesn’t escape and cold air doesn’t come in. If you use your fireplace as a heat source instead of for just ambiance, you can increase the efficiency by adding glass doors instead of a screen. Many screened fireplaces actually pull the hot air up the chimney and out of the room.

Don’t forget about outside water faucets. Turn the water off inside your home that supplies the outside faucet and then open the outside faucet nozzle to allow water to drain out. You’ll avoid frozen pipes that may burst during cold, winter months.

“Many of the tips for preparing your home for winter are related to features to consider when buying a home,” says Rosemary Scardina, Chief Executive Officer of the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS®. “A well-insulated home with an energy-efficient heat source is always a good investment.”

This article is provided courtesy of the members of the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS^®. Visit us at http://www.lehighvalleyarea.com/.