Most of us will have noticed that the days are imperceptibly getting shorter with evenings that little bit cooler. For better or worse this can only mean that autumn is upon us. Unless you live in the tropical latitudes, you need to start thinking about getting your home – inside and out - ready for the inevitably cooler temperatures that autumn and winter bring.

Some pointers for your home this autumn include:

Heating

This may seem like an obvious point, but there is more to consider for heating your home than meets the eye. If you are currently building or renovating then why not consider underfloor heating? With hydronic and electric options these can be laid in-slab or under most other floor coverings. Otherwise gas fireplace heaters are another cost effective and energy efficient method of adding warmth and ambience to your home moving into winter.

Gutters

Leaves and autumn go hand in hand, so unless you live in a unit it makes sense to keep an eye on your gutters. Blocked gutters are not only inconvenient but they can lead to major structural problems for your home. Avoid this by regularly cleaning them or getting durable gutter guards fitted. The initial outlay involved in installing gutter guards is easily recouped with the reduced maintenance these will require over the long term.

Pool

Most of us need to think about putting our swimmers away come autumn. A pool cover is a good way of ensuring that your water remains free of dirt and debris, ready for that ever so distant summer. It’s also worth considering a form of pool heating. Gas and solar are the most cost effective pool heating fuels and can give you an extra couple of months swim time. 

Garden

Even though there won’t be much growth in your garden come autumn, you still need to attend to a few odd jobs. Firstly make sure all your trees and shrubs are trimmed back and are not too unruly. This is especially true of any branches that may be overhanging your roof as these could damage or interfere with the buildings structure. Otherwise also look to other maintenance tasks such as fertilising your lawn and plants – a professional garden service can advise you more specifically on all this. 

Decking

You are likely to be using your outdoor areas considerably less over the cooler months, especially if they are exposed to the elements. Timber decking needs to be sealed prior to the expected wetter weather. This is especially necessary for older installations where weathering and cracking of the timber may have begun. If you are looking into installing decking then composite materials have taken much of the legwork out of any required maintenance.

Insulation

It’s not too late to look into insulating your home. The easiest method of improving the energy efficiency of your home is to install ceiling insulation. Depending on the size of your home this can take as little as a few hours. One thing to bear in mind with insulation is that you should stick to using registered and accredited trades. Shonky installers have given this industry a bad name in the recent past.