Each year, the seasons change and tell us it’s time for a new set of tasks. We plant in the spring, complete outdoor projects in the summer, and do household maintenance in autumn in preparation for staying cosy and safe through the winter. As the leaves change, they are not just beautiful. They are a signal that it’s time to begin your autumn maintenance checklist.
Now is the perfect time to do everything that needs doing before the first real cold snap. This allows us to spend winter indoors, worry-free. The electrical maintenance on your checklist can also help to ensure your home is safe, warm, and energy-efficient before winter sets in. At Astley Electrical, we are glad to provide a guide through autumn electrical maintenance to prepare your home for the cold season ahead.
Start by inspecting your outdoor light fixtures and outlets. Make sure nothing is corroding and that your wires are still well-covered and in good condition. Turn each light on and off, watching for flickering, delays, or pops that might indicate an electrical problem.
Check your outdoor outlets and make sure their covers close snugly to provide both weather and temperature insulation. Take a small appliance and use it to test each outdoor outlet to ensure they still provide power. This ensures they will be ready when you need them for outdoor heaters or lanterns.
Audit all of your indoor appliances and make sure they are in good working order. This can help you avoid the need for wintertime repairs.
Inspect all your smoke detectors – mounted near the ceiling, and carbon monoxide detectors – mounted near the floor. Test the batteries and make sure their alarms sound.
Take a close look at the electrical cords for all your appliances. Make sure they are not frayed, twisted, or otherwise in a dangerous state. This is especially important if you have pets.
You might be surprised, but dusting is also electrical maintenance. Get a soft duster or coil brush and clean the back of your refrigerator, separate freezer, and AC coils. This will boost efficiency and reduce fire risks.
Make sure your household heating system is ready to provide reliable heat all winter long. Your first move should be to schedule a professional inspection, cleaning, and tune-up of your heating system from a local electrical service.
If you find an air filter in your central air or heating system, replace the filters with those of the same size and quality. If they are reusable filters, hose out the filters and let them dry for a day before putting them back in.
If you often use space heaters in your home, consider space heater safety. Make sure space heaters are placed on a flat floor with plenty of room, that their cables are in good order, and that your space heaters have an automatic shutoff when they are knocked over or the room is warm enough.
You can even increase your wintertime energy efficiency, since power bills tend to go up in the winter.
Try installing a smart thermostat. Then, put in your family’s schedule and preferred temperature. The heater will seek to optimise heating schedules for the best comfort and price balance.
You can also increase your energy efficiency by sealing up cracks, adding insulation, and replacing old weather stripping. The fewer cold drafts, the less electricity your heater will need to keep the house warm.
Lastly, perform a general safety check to ensure that your household electrical system is ready to last through the winter and, ideally, for another year of good performance.
Inspect your electrical panel and look for signs that anything is amiss. Notice any unwrapped wires, crossed connections, or signs of wear and damage that might indicate trouble.
If you have emergency lighting, be sure to test it. These might be candles, backup lights, or electric torches kept in a familiar place – just in case of a winter storm outage.
If you are ticking items off your autumn maintenance checklist, don’t forget to inspect your electricals. Should you find anything like frayed wires or damaged outlets that need repair, Astley Electrical is here to ensure that your home is safe, cosy, and energy-efficient before the winter begins. Contact us to ask any questions or book a consultation for upgrades to your home.