Beat the Cold: 5 Essential Steps to Winter-Proof Your Home and Save on Energy

Inspect Your Heating System

The recent spell of heavy rain and strong winds signals the arrival of autumn. With the departure of the warmer summer days, it’s crucial to perform some routine inspections to prepare your home for the colder months ahead.

If your boiler hasn’t been serviced in the past year, now is the time to schedule a maintenance check. An annual service helps ensure that your boiler operates efficiently and can help identify potential issues before they escalate. Remember, maintaining your boiler’s service record is often necessary to keep its warranty valid. Regular servicing not only helps prevent costly repairs but also prolongs the life of your boiler.

According to Checkatrade, the typical cost for a boiler service ranges from £80 to £120, though additional charges may apply for any repairs needed. Always choose a Gas Safe registered engineer for any boiler maintenance or repair work.

Activate your central heating and examine each radiator to ensure they heat up properly. If you notice cold spots, it might be time to bleed the radiators to remove trapped air, which you can do with a radiator key costing between 50p and £3 from a hardware store. Remember to turn off the heating before you start and close the valve once water begins to flow.

To improve heating efficiency, consider installing reflector panels behind radiators on external walls. These panels help reflect heat back into the room, reducing heat loss. A set of three panels can be purchased from B&Q for £23.90.

Adjust your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting, typically between 18-21C. Reducing the temperature by just 1C could save you about £60 annually on heating costs, as per the Energy Saving Trust. They also recommend updating heating controls every 14 years to more modern, efficient models.

Address Draughts

To draught-proof your home, look for signs of air leaks such as rattling sounds and cold air around doors, windows, and floorboards. Sealing these gaps using foam, metal, or plastic strips around window frames can significantly reduce unwanted airflow. Fit brush draught excluders to external doors and use silicone-based fillers for any gaps in floorboards, as suggested by the Energy Saving Trust, which estimates savings of up to £85 a year from draught-proofing.

For homes with unused chimneys, consider installing a terracotta cap (around £150) to protect against moisture and bird entry, or use an internal draught excluder to prevent heat loss. Prices for chimney draught excluders like Chimney Sheep start at £19.

Review Your Energy Plan

In October, energy prices for numerous households in Great Britain will increase when Ofgem raises the price cap by 2% to £1,755, translating to an additional £35 annually for those on a standard variable tariff (SVT). The actual cost increase will vary based on usage, location, and payment method.

If you’re on an SVT, switching to a fixed-rate or tracker deal could offer savings. Use comparison websites like Uswitch or Compare the Market to explore the best deals available to you.

If your fixed-rate deal is ending soon, be proactive to avoid higher charges. Uswitch reports that 41 fixed-rate deals are set to end by October, potentially costing consumers up to £202 more per year. Fortunately, you can switch suppliers without penalty up to 49 days before your current deal expires.

According to Will Owen, an energy expert at Uswitch, now is an opportune time for savings, with about 26 fixed deals currently available that are more competitive than the upcoming October cap, potentially saving around £241. Outfox Energy offers two attractive tariffs: a 12-month fixed at an average of £1,514 and a two-year fixed at £1,516.

Switching providers usually takes up to five working days, and you have a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel without incurring any penalties.

Ensure Safety of Your Heating Accessories

It’s likely been a while since you last used your winter heating appliances. Check that they’re still safe to use to avoid any hazards during the colder months.

Examine your hot-water bottle, which should be replaced every two to three years. Look for the manufacture date indicated by a flower symbol—where the center number represents the year and the petals and dots denote months and weeks, respectively.

Inspect the wiring on any electric heaters, and ensure they are placed at least a meter away from any objects when in use. Avoid using extension cords as they can cause overheating. Never leave heaters unattended for prolonged periods, especially overnight.

Electric blankets should be replaced if they show signs of wear or if the internal wires are exposed. If the blanket has been stored folded, check for wear along the folds. Blankets over 10 years old should be replaced, with new ones available between £30 and £140 depending on the quality.

Prepare your fireplace by having the chimney swept to ensure proper ventilation. The British Pest Control Association recommends checking for any nests in chimneys as cooler weather approaches.

Install a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as your fireplace, and test all your smoke alarms to ensure they function correctly and have full batteries.

Tidy Up Your Exterior

Examine your roof for any damaged, cracked, or missing tiles, especially around the chimney, to prevent leaks. Look for signs of algae, which can harm the roof, and consider treating it with a cleaning solution or installing zinc or copper strips to hinder growth. Replace any tiles that are damaged or have slipped.

Clear your gutters to prevent blockages and associated damage. Hiring a professional for this task can cost between £50 and £300, depending on your home’s size and location.

Ensure that all fence panels are securely fastened to withstand strong winds typical of autumn and winter.

Store barbecues, trampolines, and garden furniture securely. If you lack storage space, cover them and anchor securely to prevent wind damage.

For plants sensitive to cold, bring them indoors and prune any overgrown shrubs to minimize wind damage.