The chill in the air means weekend chores

Since a slight chill has hit the air, many of us are firing up our furnaces for the first time this season. Remember, you're dealing with natural gas. Be sure to check that you haven't stored any combustible items near your furnace, including paint cans and household chemicals. Don't forget to change your filter; a dirty filter can lead to poor air flow and in some cases can even shut down your entire system.

If you haven't scheduled your seasonal checkup from a licensed professional, do so now. Heating systems that are properly serviced last longer and use fuel more efficiently.

This is also a good time to check the batteries on your carbon monoxide detector. You need at least one on every floor.

Before you spend any money on insulation, sealing, or weather stripping, I recommend you schedule a home energy analysis. You'll learn where you're losing the most energy dollars from leaks or poor insulation - so you can focus on saving the most energy dollars first.

If you hate the feeling of being cooped up in the winter, add some great plants to your indoors. They can help keep the air fresh while your home is sealed up. There's a list of house plants that help purify the air on my website.

Finally, walk around the house and remove your garden hoses. The quickest way to get a broken pipe when temperatures drop is leaving that hose hooked up. And remember to check your gutters for fallen leaves.

Have a great week!