Bob Vila’s 10 “Must Do” Projects for November

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For many of us , November marks the get-go of a season fill up with household node , round-the-clock vacation preparation , and cozy nights indoors . It ’s also the last chance for cold - realm dweller to eat up last - minute outside maintenance and garden labor . Get ready for whatever this month brings by taking on these timely task .

1. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Installing a programmable orsmart thermostatputs savings on automatic — it ’s another task you wo n’t have to retrieve to do yourself . TheU.S. Department of Energyestimates that householder can spare about 10 percentage on their heating system costs by turn their thermostats down 7 to 10 grade for eight hours a Clarence Day . If you work outside the base , automatically go down your thermoregulator to a lowly temperature while you ’re go should be a no - brainer . The Energy Star - certifiedEcobee Smart Thermostat with voice control , one of the top performer in ourresearched guide to the sound programmable thermostats , can be ascertain via Siri or Alexa .

2. Add Attic Insulation

Attic insulationis your home ’s first line of work of defense against draft and ineffective heating . Without proper insularism , up to 25 percent of the heat you pump into your home will escape through the cap . When choosing whichtype of insulationis best for your dome , take the years of your home , and the region in which you live .

An insulation ’s R - time value measures how well insulation keep out the frigidity . For house physician of the northern U.S. , insulation manufacturerJohns Manvillerecommends that attic insulation have an roentgen - value of at least 38 ; an roentgen - time value of 49 to 60 is even better .

3. Equip the Kitchen With a Fire Extinguisher

Americans are getting ready to put their ovens and stovetops to the tryout this month . Here ’s an authoritative reminder as you startle your holiday preparation : More cooking firing go on on Thanksgiving than on any other 24-hour interval of the class . Make certain you ’re quick for whatever comes your way by keep afire extinguisherclose at hand the kitchen , and letting the cooks know where it ’s kept . Also check the pressure of subsist fire fire extinguisher , and replace any old or discredited unit .

4. Hang the Holiday Lights

There ’s some debate over the correct time tohang the Christmas lights , but many Americans waste no time and flip the switch on Thanksgiving weekend . As far as we are touch on , one of the best understanding to hanging brightness level in November is that the ( slightly ) warm conditions make the Book of Job more comfortable . Whenever it is you choose to light up the yard , jibe all cords for fraying , and dispose of any damage drawstring . Plug in the lights into ground fault circuit interrupter outlets ( GFCIs ) to cut down the endangerment of electric fires , and turn off the decorations before you go to sleep . We wish the idea of hangingGovee ’s permanent outdoor lights , which you could leave up class - round and change the colors and patterns to suit dissimilar holidays . Ourtested guide to the good Christmas lightshas some other great choices , too .

5. Prep Pipes for Winter

When they are expose to uttermost temperature , under- or non - insulated pipe , especially those that run along an exterior wall or an unheated garage , can immobilise and do major problems . To protect your pipes , first ensure that your walls are adequately insulated . You may also consider enfold specializedheating cablesorheating tapearound piddle tobacco pipe that run along exterior walls . Heating tape can be plug into an exit , which will heat the water supply in your pipe to prevent freeze and bursting . invalidate install heating tape inside walls , ceiling , or base , where it can pose afire risk .

6. Stock Up on Firewood

Gathering the family around the open fireplace is one of the skilful things about cold weather . Before you hit a couple , ensure you have plenty of firewood on hand for the season . Seasoned hardwood , like oak tree or ash , is more often than not thebest Sir Henry Wood for combust in the fireplace .

7. Ready the Guest Room

If you ’ll be meet host to friends and family this time of year , now ’s the time to get the guest sleeping room in secure shape . A fresh pelage of paint or new litter can make the space more inviting and wo n’t break the bank . Do n’t have a unembellished bedroom ? Alternativeguest seam ideas , like cots , air travel mattress , orpull - out sofas , can speedily wrench any room into a chamber .

8. Care for Your Kitchen’s Surfaces

Given the extra metre you and your family will be spending in the kitchen through the last of the year , odds are higher that your countertops will see more tumble , stains , and scratches than common . The best ways to protect these surface depend on their composition : While stuff like quartz and laminate only take regular cleaning with an all - intention spray , countertops made of butcher pulley-block , marble , andgranite should be sealedin society to resist stains ( and warping , in the case of botcher engine block ) .

Once your countertops are protect , move on to cleaning your cutting off boards : shaping boards can be sanitized in the dishwasher;clean woodwind cutting boardswith acetum or , if stained , salt and half a lemon . Condition wood cutting plank with a food - dependable mineral oil .

9. Insulate the Water Heater

Yourwater heateris credibly installed in an unwarmed environment , like a basement or a garage . insulate your appliance is an absolute must to prevent it from lose heat . pick out an insulatingwater bullet blanketthat ’s the correct size of it for your tank , and follow the maker ’s instructions for initiation . This quick task could save you 4 to 9 pct in piss heat costs , and make up for itself in about a year .

10. Clean Your Cooking Appliances

Your kitchen will likely be in overdrive for the Thanksgiving holiday , which is why now is the time to minimise the danger of grease flaming and make certain yourstovetopanddrip pansare unobjectionable . Go ahead andclean the oven , too , with a atoxic , fume - spare mix of baking soda , water , and vinegar . Just do n’t use the ego - clean social occasion on your ovenrightbefore the self-aggrandizing Clarence Shepard Day Jr. : ego - cleaning put option strain on your appliance and could lead in a maintenance call — or worse .

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we deal this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to remain on budget .

A family with young children walking on a path, surrounded by autumn leaves.