15 tips for preparing your home for the winter

Before the temperatures get too cold, have an HVAC technician swing by to ensure that your home's heating system is in proper working order. That way, you can address any major repairs weeks before the weather really gets chilly. 

If the leaves have started to fall in your neighborhood, it's probably time to clean out those gutters. Clogged gutters can cause damage to multiple areas of your home's exterior, especially in seriously rainy or icy conditions. 

Keeping your home warm during the winter can be expensive, especially if you're living with drafty doors and windows. Use a little caulk or weather stripping to seal up any leaky windows or entryways, and prepare to see some savings in your annual heating bill. 

During the summer, fans should run counter-clockwise to help keep spaces cool. But during the winter, if you want to maximize your heater's efficiency, switch your heater's direction to spin clockwise to help push heated air down from the ceiling. 

In the event of severe winter weather, an emergency kit is absolutely essential. Make sure your home is stocked with bottles of water, flashlights, and other emergency kit essentials to avoid having to make a last-minute supermarket run before that first snowstorm of the year. 

Sweater weather is officially on its way, which means that it's probably time to swap out those swimsuits for something a little cozier. Pack your summer clothes into vacuum bags and store them away in the closet, and hang up all those sweaters and other fall wardrobe essentials you've had packed away for months. 

Kids grow, clothing shrinks, and no one wants to be left without gloves on the first chilly day of the year. Now is a great time to make sure that everyone's cold-weather gear still fits and is in good shape. 

Spring isn't the only time that's great for decluttering your home. Once you've figured out which coats and boots no longer fit, donate those to your favorite charity shop to make space for the new stuff you'll inevitably need. 

If you burn fires in your fireplace regularly, you should also have your chimney swept at least once a year or so to ensure that it's able to operate efficiently — and without the build-up of ashes and creosote. 

If you use a wood-burning stove, now's also a great time to start stocking up on firewood. Grab bundles at the supermarket or farmer's market, and don't forget to stock up on fire-starters and other fireplace essentials well in advance of the first chilly evening. 

If your yard has any tree branches that are overgrown or looking a little precarious, trimming them now can help ensure that you don't have to deal with any fallen branch mishaps during an ice storm or other weird winter weather. 

The holiday season will be here before you know it, and if you're the type that loves to decorate, do an inventory of the decor you're planning to put up this year. Check to make sure your holiday lights all still work, that large decorative pieces are clean and in good shape, and make a list of anything you need to replace.

Too cold to keep entertaining outside? Prolong the life of your patio furniture by bringing it indoors if possible. Keeping it out of the elements will ensure that your cushions and chairs stay in good shape, even when it's rainy and cold. 

Hail storms, snow, ice, and other winter weather can wreak havoc on your roof, especially if it's already in bad shape. Have a professional take a look at your roof and make any necessary repairs now. 

With the winter months approaching, now is a great time to give your home's vents a deep cleaning. It's easy enough to do this as a DIY task — all you'll need is a vacuum and a few other typical household items — or you can hire a professional relatively inexpensively.