The Fall Smart Home Checklist: How To Prepare For Cooler Weather
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Fall (and the upcoming winter) brings many changes, including a change in temperature, new routines around the house, and vacation plans. That's why fall cleaning is just as important to your health and comfort as spring cleaning.
While there are a whole host of fall prep projects like cleaning your gutters and checking the weather, we want to provide a more user-friendly guide for smart homes and homes that want to be smarter. Check to make sure the essentials are on our list.
Check your thermostat chart
If you have a smart thermostat, take a few minutes to log into the app and check your schedule and heating limits. Is your heating system ready to operate at the right temperature? As the days get darker, it also gets colder, which may require morning and evening thermostat adjustments, with alternative heating methods like furnaces. Apps make tuning easy, and some apps even offer suggestions on ways to change your thermostat in the fall to save even more money.
Change your filters
This is the perfect time to change all your filters. If your HVAC system has a replacement filter, be sure to replace it with the correct size model (correctly threaded). If you have a separate air conditioner, change or clean the filters. Check your refrigerator's filters while working. Today's LG refrigerators and many other brands will tell you when your refrigerator's filters need to be changed.
Clean your coffee machine
On a short, dark day, many of us are looking for more coffee. This is the best time to clean the coffee maker. Many new coffee makers have a cleaning cycle that runs hot water to remove old odors. Brands like Keurig even sell their own cleaners, or you can buy them from a third party (or use a vinegar mixture and rinse until clean). If you want your coffee maker to be a little smarter to help you with things like this, check out our list of smart coffee makers.
Protect your smoke detectors
In the fall, when heaters are turned on and more food is prepared at home, some fire risks may increase. Be prepared by checking smoke alarms and replacing batteries if necessary. Smart smoke detectors like the Nest Protect can send status updates directly to your phone so you know how it's performing and when the batteries need replacing.
Adjust the sprinklers
If your lawn seems less active during the winter, it's time to adjust your sprinkler and watering schedule. Smart irrigation systems make this very easy, but even if you have a traditional irrigation panel, it's not difficult to reset or turn off the schedule.
Check your leak sensors
Check if your smart home or security system has leak sensors. If necessary, make sure their batteries are charged and installed correctly. In autumn and winter, you are more likely to be exposed to various types of leaks and high humidity, including moisture in the attic, cracked pipes from frozen pipes and other problems. If you don't already have leak sensors, you can find options to add them to your security or smart home platform.
In addition to checking for leak detectors, it's also a good time to trim other parts of your home. Should your pipes be insulated? Should you block your foundation vents to improve thermal efficiency? Do you need to check the roof ventilation to make sure there is no moisture there? And your oven? Cover all these steps and your home will be ready for fall weather.
Buy a robot vacuum to control dust
The colder months are somewhat notorious for dust problems. Houses are more closed, so the dust that comes in (or yes, the dust that comes out of the dry skin in winter) slows down over time. If you hate dust around your house, consider robot vacuums like the latest Roombas to help you out. Robot vacuums are better at vacuuming on low, and today's models are smart enough to empty and refill, so there's not much to do.
Get an air filter to clean the air
If the accumulation of dust and dirt is causing health problems in your home, it's time to invest in a good air purifier. The best air purifiers on the market are quiet, easy to use and remove odors (another thing that can accumulate in the winter), dust particles, etc. It includes many filters to remove. Modern versions can even prepare and provide indoor air quality improvements, while other models include moisture barriers to combat dry air.
Get modern plugs for the holidays
Smart plugs plug into standard outlets and allow you to plug in other things like lights to monitor their usage and schedule them to turn on and off. Whether you're decorating for Halloween, setting up your Christmas tree, or making sure you can control your portable heater wherever you are, this is an invaluable feature. Check out some of the best smart plugs, and if you're using them for outdoor lighting, make sure you get a weatherproof outdoor model.
Use smart LED lighting to combat SAD
SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, can lead to depression and fatigue as the days get darker. If this happens to you every year, consider trying a smart bulb. These lights specifically mimic sunlight and brighten the room and help treat some SAD symptoms. Adjust brightness, color temperature (more or less like sunlight), timers, etc. Consider models like the Verilux HappyLight that allow customization.
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