School has just started, and fall is about to start making days get shorter and nights longer. Now is just the time to do some fall cleaning.

Weather stripping for doors and windows

Look at your home’s weather stripping. Weather stripping can be plastic, foam, felt or metal. What is important is that gaps are sealed to keep moisture and cold air outside. Look around your doors and windows: Is the weather stripping at you doors or windows torn or missing? This can become expensive if ignored. On doors, make sure the bottom seal is working properly. There are many sweeps, gaskets and thresholds available to seal this gap. Doors generally need weather stripping in their jambs as well. Adhesive-backed foam pads are easy to install for this purpose. Newer, energy-efficient windows generally don't require added weather stripping, but if your windows are older, weather stripping can keep drafts at bay and energy costs down.

Check storm windows

If you have storm windows that are cracked or dirty, repair and clean them now -- prior to autumn installation. Storm windows reduce the flow of outside air into your home which will be very important during winter.

Fight winter with plywood

Find a couple of scrap sheets of plywood and set them aside. When the weatherman predicts a cold snap, set the boards against the exterior basement vents on whichever side of your house bears the brunt of your prevailing weather patterns. This bit of scrappiness could help prevent frozen pipes. Be sure to remove the boards once the weather warms as those vents should be open to let out warm air.

Insulation speculation

This is a good time to check the condition of insulation and see if you need more, especially if you live in an older home. You can purchase un-backed or loose-fill insulation if you are just beefing up what is already there. If you are adding batted insulation to a spot that has none, remember that the foil-backed side is the vapor barrier, and it must face the heated area. For example, if you are laying fiberglass insulation in an unfinished attic floor to keep heat in the living room below, you should see pink when you're done -- not foil! If your walls lack insulation, consider having a professional install blown-in insulation foam. The energy savings will probably offset the cost of the procedure in a couple of years.

Check gutters

Check gutters and make sure they are clear as rain and leaves will be falling during autumn. Make sure that water will be free flowing when rains come.

Keep mice out

September inspires nesting in mice as well as humans. Mice are looking for a winter home now, and that newly insulated attic would be just the spot. Mice can squeeze through 1/4-inch openings; rats need a 1/2-inch. Make sure all exterior vents are screened, and that there are no gaps underneath garage doors. If you are careless about leaving doors and windows open this time of year, you'll be setting mousetraps later. Pet doors are another favorite access point for rodents.

Caulk exterior

Think of caulk as weather stripping in a tube. Any gap on the outside of your home can be a candidate for caulking. Look at transition spots: corners, windows, doors, areas where masonry joins siding, or places where vents and other objects protrude from walls. Carefully read manufacturer's directions to make sure the caulk you buy will work where you plan to use it, and don't forget to purchase a caulking gun. Early fall is a good time for this task because caulk becomes difficult to apply when the temperature falls.

Wood for fire

If you have a woodstove, now is the time for you to collect firewood. Though most of us buy whatever's local, bear in mind that soft woods like fir and cedar burn faster and create hazardous creosote in the chimney, thus requiring more system maintenance and more wood. Hard woods like oak, hickory and maple are slow, hot, clean burners. Wood piles attract insect and animal pests, so stack wood away from the house. Wood dries best when it's protected from rain and has air circulating around it, so under the roof of a wall-less carport would be an ideal wood storage spot.

Clean dryer vent

This is another one of those tasks that should be on your to-do list every six months. Scoot your clothes dryer away from the wall, unplug it, and vacuum behind it. (If it's a gas dryer, turn off the gas supply to the dryer at the appliance shutoff valve.) Unhook the tube that leads to the vent and clear as much lint from the tube as you can. Grab a shop vacuum, go outside, and tackle the outside dryer vent as well.

Inspect your roof and chimney

If your roof isn't too steep, and isn't covered with slate or tile, you may be able to carefully walk it on a dry day. Look for broken or missing shingles, missing or damaged