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For many of us, November marks the beginning of a season filled with house guests, nonstop holiday cooking, and cozy nights indoors. It’s also the last chance for cold-region dwellers to finish last-minute outdoor maintenance and garden projects. Get ready for whatever this month brings by taking on these timely tasks.

1. Install a programmable thermostat .

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Installing a programmable thermostat puts savings on automatic: It’s another task you won’t have to remember to do yourself. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save about 10 percent on their heating costs by turning their thermostats down 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day. If you work outside the home, automatically setting your thermostat to a lower temperature while you’re gone should be a no-brainer.…