Checklist On How To Prepare Your Home For Winter

Posted on October 20, 2020

While we all enjoy the warm summer sun, we give little thought to the winter that is slowly creeping upon us. Then suddenly, before we know it, it is mid-September, the leaves are falling, it’s rainy, and the wind is cold. Some basic home maintenance, repairs and some keen attention to detail on your heating system can make all of the difference to how much you spend on your heating bills.

Ensure your boiler is working correctly

Over the summer there might be one or two occasions where it gets a little chilly, and you need to put the heating on – but that is usually it. What then happens is, come winter, you want your boiler to be working perfectly almost 24/7. It therefore makes sense that as soon as the cooler weather creeps in you get your boiler serviced.

This general maintenance will make sure that your boiler is in good working order.

Keeping up with regular maintenance will help avoid any boiler breakdowns in the middle of winter too.

Install a smart thermostat

A smart thermostat is a connective device that communicates with your energy and the rest of your home. It usually has a range of programmable temperature settings, reactive to the weather, heating and cooling needs. And there are some advanced learning capabilities too.

Smart thermostats are amazing for keeping your home warm, but also reducing your energy bills. They learn when you need hot water, the times you usually put on the heating and can adjust to meet the demands of your family life. This means they are the number one tool in keeping you warm and cozy during the winter.

There are a number of different types of smart thermostats, the best system for you will depend on your needs.

But first off, you need to check the capabilities of your HVAC and boiler system before you buy a smart thermostat.

Consider reflecting your radiators heat

This is something not many people think about; however, it can save money and help you to keep more of the warmth that your radiator pumps out. The simple idea is that you place a reflective sheet or even tin foil behind the radiator and it reflects the heat back into the room and radiator.

If you are unsure about how to place the reflector, then the best thing to do is to talk to a professional.

Ensure your house is fully insulated

Some of the insulation you can do yourself. But for others, it’s better to have a professional install it for you. Insulation and draught-proofing helps you keep the heat inside of your home. Heat typically escapes through the roof, windows, doors and the floor. So be sure to check on these places first off.

For a typical house, the walls are the number one way for heat to escape. They let out around 30% of the total heat loss.

The roof is the next obvious point, letting out around 25%. Finally, the windows and doors account for around 20%. But this doesn’t include gaps and draughts.

In most cases, insulation can be one of the quickest ways for you to save money and get your home ready for winter.

Inspect Windows and Doors

Heat loss through windows and doors is usually one of the most common problems we see. You should therefore inspect them to ensure no heat is leaking through cracks or seals.

Energy efficiency testing is essential to make sure you get the most from your heating system. Check all of the areas where there are different building materials that interact. For example, places like where cement meets bricks, where bricks meet window frames and so on.

Look for cracks and gaps in the sealants and the joints. You can shine a flashlight into the corners and along the joints. If there is light seen from the other side, then you know there is likely an air leak there.

Keep rooms closed to ensure the heat does not escape

In the summer, you are likely to keep doors and windows open so that the air can circulate. When it comes to the heat in the winter, you are better off closing the doors. If you and your family tend to spend time in one room most often, then that room is likely to build up the warmth quickly.

Leaving the door open on that room will cause the heat to escape, and the radiators will keep trying to keep the warmth at a steady temperature.

A Handy Checklist

Here is a quick checklist of the points listed above:

Check out your boiler/HVAC and heating systems. Get them serviced if necessary
Install a smart thermostat
Reflect your radiators
Ensure your home is fully insulated
Inspect windows and doors
Keep internal doors closed

That’s it. Some easy ways to keep your home warm this winter. Getting your boiler and/or HVAC system, followed by having a smart thermostats are definitely our favorite. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the other points.

Not only will winter-proofing your home save you money. It will also help toward making the planet greener and more sustainable.