It might feel early to think about cold weather while the sun is shining, but summer is actually the ideal time to get your home ready for winter. With longer days and better weather, it’s easier to tackle small tasks that can make a big difference when temperatures drop. From checking your heating system to sealing up draughts, a little preparation now can help you stay warm, save money, and avoid stress later on.
Why prepare now?
- Better weather for DIY: It’s easier to check windows, doors, and outdoor areas when the weather is dry and daylight hours are longer.
- Spread the cost: Tackling small tasks now can help you avoid large, unexpected expenses later.
- Peace of mind: Knowing your home is winter-ready means one less thing to worry about when the temperature drops.
Top tips
Use draught excluders
Many UK homes are well known for leaking heat out through gaps in doors and windows, which can often lead to a cold draught blowing into rooms. It’s thought that draughty doors can cause up to 15% heat loss in a home, which means that your heating has to work extra hard to replace it. This can become expensive, as you’re using more energy to heat your house up.
Draught excluders are a cheap way to combat this issue. They’re usually long in length and made of an insulating material to drape along the bottom of your doors.
Get your boiler serviced
One way to keep your heating working as efficiently as it should is to arrange an annual inspection and service of your boiler. As boilers get older, they can become less efficient, which may result in higher heating costs. If you live in a ForHousing home, we’ll work to arrange this with you at a suitable time every 12 months. Check out our information page to see how we’ll work with you to keep your home gas safe this winter.
Bleed your radiators
Bleeding your radiators is a good way to ensure that your radiators are working to their full potential throughout your home. Air can become trapped over time in radiators, which makes them less efficient at heating up properly. Bleeding is a very simple process, and if you feel comfortable doing it yourself then that’s great. However, if you’ve never done it before and would like to contact us for someone to come over to do it for you, simply get in touch with us here.
Add extra layers
This may sound simple, but the more layers your home has, the warmer it will become. Keeping extra blankets or throws handy will make all the difference when it comes to keeping your heating bills down. Rather than reaching for the thermostat on a night to turn the heating up, try cuddling up under a cosy blanket first! You can buy blankets and throws for £5 or less at many well-known retailers like Amazon or ASDA.
Close doors and windows
While this seems obvious, a lot of heat escapes rooms in the home due to doors and windows being left open. Closing doors as you enter each room can help to heat your space up much quicker, as it means less heat will be able to escape. The same applies to your windows. However, it is important to leave them open a crack after showering or while you’re cooking to avoid a build-up of condensation.
Keep your monthly direct debit the same
Even if your heating use is lower in summer, maintaining your regular payments can help you build up credit. This can make your winter bills more manageable and reduce the risk of unexpected costs.
Turn Down Radiator Valves in Unused Rooms During Summer
When the sun is shining and your home naturally stays warm, it’s easy to forget about your radiators, but they might still be using energy in the background. Take a few minutes to walk through your home and check the radiator valves, especially in rooms you don’t use often. Turning them down or off during the summer helps prevent unnecessary heating and can reduce your energy bills.
It’s a small step that not only saves money now but also gives you a chance to make sure everything’s working properly before the colder months return.
