10 ways to get your home ready for winter
Many of us spend more time at home during the colder months, but with the cost of energy soaring, winter may feel more daunting than usual.
This is particularly the case with the introduction of the new energy price cap from October, which will see energy bills increase by about 10% per household. This will cost an extra £12 a month for those who use both gas and electricity on a standard variable-rate energy tariff, paying by direct debit.
Turning down the thermostat will naturally soften the blow on your energy bill. In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust, lowering the thermostat from 22 to 21°C can save you up to £90 a year. But there are other ways to keep your home warm and still save on your energy.
Now’s the best time to prepare against winter disasters such as burst pipes and carbon monoxide leaks. We’ve put together this guide to help you get your home ready for winter.
1. Roof insulation
In an uninsulated home, a quarter of heat is lost through the roof, according to Energy Saving Trust (EST). Getting your loft insulated will help to keep more heat in your home and keep your bills down – EST estimates that with the recommended 27cm of insulation you could save:
£380 on your energy bill a year, in a detached house.
£230 on your energy bill a year, in a semi-detached house.
£200 on your energy bill a year, in a mid-terrace house.
2. Get a carbon monoxide alarm
Carbon monoxide (CO) leaks are more of a risk in the winter when we’re using our cookers, heaters, boilers and fires more and our homes are not as well ventilated. It’s a legal requirement for private landlords to have an alarm fitted and tested regularly, and a CO alarm must be fitted in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (any appliance that burns fuel to generate heat).
If you own your home and you don’t have a CO alarm, you can buy one for around £15 from most DIY shops and larger supermarkets. It should be marked ‘EN 50291-1’ to show it adheres to the latest safety standards and bear the British Standards Kitemark.
You should also always make sure appliances are regularly serviced by registered engineers.
3. Insulate water pipes
A burst water pipe on your own property is your responsibility and winter months are when you’re most at risk. Uninsulated pipes in colder areas, such as the loft or the basement, are more likely to burst. This happens when the water freezes and expands, building up pressure within the pipe.
Insulate your water pipes by using lagging, which you can buy inexpensively from a DIY shop, and pay special attention to pipes in unheated areas such as the loft.
4. Wrap up your hot water tank
While you wrap yourself up in blankets and jumper, don’t forget about your hot water tank! You can buy a British Standard Jacket for under £20 and according to EST, topping up your insulation from 25mm to 80mm could save you around £40 a year.
5. Clear the gutters
There’s only one thing the gutter is meant for, and that’s getting rainwater off the roof and down the drain. If it’s blocked, it won’t be able to do this.
You’ll be able to tell if you have an issue if rainwater goes down the side of the house, or if there’s any discolouration on your walls. These blockages are frequently the result of fallen leaves, moss or twigs from a bird’s nest. Water can cause damp and mould, so it’s essential to make sure rainfall can be effectively drained from your home. During winter, it’s easy for the water in blocked gutters to freeze, too. This can distort and crack your gutters, leading to expensive repairs.
If you have the time and knowledge to clear your own gutters, doing it yourself can help you save money – the average hourly rate for professional gutter cleaning is between £20 and £30, according to Checkatrade. Alternatively, invest in a Hedgehog Gutter brush that will prevent leaves from clogging your gutters.
6. Get a smart meter
Getting a smart meter installed won’t automatically save you money, however, it prevents the need to submit meter readings and lets you keep a close eye on how much energy you’re using in real time. This can help you see which appliances are using up the most energy so you can alter your usage accordingly.
Smart meters are free to install and all energy suppliers are required to offer one by 2025. If you haven’t been offered one yet, you can request one – click here to find out how.
There’s also the option to invest in one of the best smart thermostats. With one of these, you can control the temperature around your home from your smartphone or tablet and monitor it more seamlessly. Some models can even learn from your habits and adjust the thermostat accordingly. For instance, it can increase the temperature when you’re on the way home from work!
7. Bleed your radiators
Bleeding radiators regularly will help keep your home warm. Over time, air can get trapped in your radiators and reduce the efficiency, leaving them feeling cool at the top and warm at the bottom. The trapped air needs releasing by bleeding the radiator; this will even out the heat distribution.
The first step is turning off your central heating and waiting for your radiators to cool; this is important because you don’t want to burn yourself in the process. Then start with the radiator furthest away from the boiler and work your way back towards it.
Locate the bleed valve on the radiator – it’s a small valve on the side of the radiator, near the top. You’ll need a bleed key to turn it, which you can buy from any DIY store. Place a cloth on the floor and hold another directly beneath the valve before you start to turn it. Turn it 180º anticlockwise to expel any air trapped in the system – you’ll hear a hissing sound. When all the air has been expelled, it’ll start to drip water and you can close the valve.
It’s recommended that you check the pressure gauge on your boiler once you’ve finished bleeding your radiator and adjust it if needed. Refer to your manual for guidance on this.
8. Use heavier curtains
Heating in your home can escape through your windows, so investing in thick curtains is a great way to insulate and limit where hot air can escape. This will also block the breeze from getting in. Hanging a door curtain in front of glass doors or draughty front doors can also make a big difference. Remember to open the curtains up during the day, though, so the sun has a chance to heat your home.
If you have hard floors around the home, rugs can better insulate the floors, too. While draught excluders will block any gaps under your doors.
9. Check that your boiler is in good condition
Looking after your boiler is essential, especially during the winter months. If it fails and need to be replaced, this can cost up to £3,500, according to Checkatrade.
Before winter arrives, make sure yours is working properly. According to Boiler Guide, it should be serviced once a year by a Gas Safe Registered engineer or fully qualified heating engineer if it’s not gas. The older it is, the more inefficient it’ll be, as boilers lose pressure over time.
Check the pressure gauge on the boiler – the instruction manual will explain how to do this, and how to adjust the pressure if needed. For other problems, ask your plumber or arrange for a professional to fix the boiler. You can check the Gas Safe Register to find a qualified engineer in your area.
10. Make sure heat isn’t escaping through the chimney
Around one in 10 UK homes have an open fireplace and, while this improves cosiness in the winter, it’s also a big cause of lost heat.
If you have a chimney you don’t use but you don’t want to board it up, you can use a chimney balloon to stop draughts and minimise heat loss. One of these should cost under £30 – they’re easy to inflate and will last for years.
We recommend Chimney Sheep. We found it kept cold air out effectively.
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