Below I have listed fifteen steps you can take to get your home ready for fall and winter:

If you have a crawl space make sure to close all the vents.    These vents should be open during the summer and closed during the winter

If you have heat runs going through the crawl space they should be insulated so not to allow heat loss and to allow the heating system to function more efficiently.     If the heat runs are not insulated the furnace ahs to reheat this cold air.  This in-turn will increate your fuel bill.

If you have a basement make sure that the basement windows are shut tightly and insulate the perimeter above the poured or block walls with blanket insulation.   This area is called the bond or rim joist.  You may have to staple the insulation into place. 

Weather-strip all exterior doors and windows.  Your local hardware store has all kinds of weather-stripping materials for this chore.     Make sure that storm windows and doors are closed.  Also remove and store window and door screens.

Add additional insulation to your attic.    Approximately 70% of all heat loss in a home is up through the ceiling and attic so this is definitely a priority area if you want to save on your heating bill.

Caulk the outside of your house now while the material is still pliable and workable.  The basic rule of thumb is to caulk joints where two different construction materials meet (brick to wood, wood to aluminum, wood to vinyl and etc.).  

Make sure the damper in your fireplace is functional so that it can be closed when the fireplace is not in use.   If you use your fireplace a lot have the flue inspected and professionally cleaned before using.     Heat can be pulled from the rest of the house when the damper is left open.  

 Have your furnace or boiler inspected and professionally cleaned by a licensed heating and cooling contractor.  (Have them adjust the burners, change filters, clean and adjust the humidifier, flush the boiler, check for leaks, calibrate the thermostat, etc.).    Change the furnace filter.  The furnace filter should be changed every three months year around.     Use one of the micro allergen filters on the market and keep a supply on hand.

If your hot water heater is more than 7 years old wrap it in a fiberglass blanket to save on standby energy loss.

If you have outside faucets running through the crawl space they should be shut off and the water lines bled.  

Trim back tree branches touching the house before they become ice and snow laden causing possible damage to the roof and house siding.    Also check to see if you have any missing roof shingles.  It is easier now to make the repairs when days are warm and the shingles are flexible.

As soon as the trees shed their leaves clean your gutters.  This helps prevent ice damming and potential damage to the roof, soffit and fascia board.  

Also re-attach all gutters down spouts, down spout elbows, extension pipes and splash blocks.  

Seal any visible cracks in concrete and asphalt drives and sidewalks.   Freezing and thawing conditions can greatly accelerate deterioration to these areas.  

Make sure that all exterior light fixtures including photo and motion light fixtures are working.  It is a lot easier to change light bulbs in moderate temperatures than in the middle of a winter blizzard.