By Dan Kern
Owner, Ace Handyman Services Fox Valley
Part of our Homeowner Insights series
This weekend, we turn the clocks back an hour. The days are getting shorter here in the Fox Valley, and for many of us that means leaving for work in the dark and coming home in the dark.
There’s a real difference between walking into a dimly lit home and coming into one that feels bright, comfortable, and ready for you. For years, people often thought twice about leaving lights on because of the electricity cost. LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and timers and home automation make it easier to have lights come on when and where you need them. A few well placed lights can make the darker months feel more welcoming and make everyday tasks easier. energy.gov
Think about the places you use when you get home: the entry, hallway, stairs, kitchen, or the path from the garage. You don’t have to light every room all night. You can set timers or smart controls so useful lights come on around the time you arrive, and use brighter task lighting where you need to see what you’re doing. Lighting outside can help you find your way to the door, too. Check that your house numbers can be seen from the street after dark. That small detail can help emergency responders find your home quickly. www.usfa.fema.gov
If you’re hoping to park inside the garage this winter, it may be time to make some room. A clear path from the car to the house is safer and makes the garage more useful. While you’re there, check that the garage door’s safety features work as they should. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to test the auto-reverse feature, and make sure the photo eyes are clean and unobstructed. www.cpsc.gov
The clock change is also a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Check their dates, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and replace any units that have reached the end of their service life. Smoke alarms generally need to be replaced 10 years from their manufacture date. Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions or when their end-of-life signal sounds. www.usfa.fema.gov
If your furnace filter is due, replace it before the heating system gets a lot of use. It’s also a good time to schedule a furnace service so it can be cleaned and checked before the cold settles in. And if you have a fireplace, consider having it cleaned and inspected before the first fire of the season.
Then there’s the list of small repairs. Most of us have one. The hole in the drywall. The sticky door. The dripping faucet. The loose railing. The shorter days probably won’t inspire anyone to tackle them after work, but they’re still there, waiting.
Getting those jobs done can make your home more comfortable and ready for the weeks ahead, especially with family and friends coming over for the holidays. If the list feels bigger than your available time, a qualified home services company can help. Look for a company that is properly licensed where required, bonded, and insured, and be clear about what work you want done.
The time change is only one hour. But it can be a useful nudge to look around, take care of a few things, and make HOME a little safer, brighter, and more welcoming for the darker months ahead.