Cold Weather = Cold Home

The rise in global warming has seen our climate alter, giving us warmer summers and colder winters.

The rapid rise in Arctic temperatures is linked to extreme weather conditions. The major consequences of global warming include drought, severe hurricanes, sweeping forest fires and melting polar ice caps.

With another hot summer just passed, we may very well experience an icy cold winter this coming year with heavy snow fall.

How to Prepare for Winter

Here are some helpful tips to get you prepared

for the cold months ahead.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmiers2/6707651893/

1. Cover Drafty Windows

In order to prevent a draft coming through your window, tape a clear plastic sheet to the inside and seal it tightly to the frame.

Install drapes or heavy upholstered curtains to your windows to reduce any cold coming in.

2. Adjust the Temperature

When you’re at home, set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature.

When you’re out of your home, change the thermostat down to 10-15 degrees.

Install a Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat so you can easily control when to activate your heating. This makes it easier to control your heating as you can put your heating on before you come home.

3. Keep Your Boiler at its

Best

A poorly maintained boiler can waste a lot of energy,

as will a very old boiler, so consider getting a new

boiler installed in your home. The savings over time

make it an economical choice and you can employ

the services of a trusted local supplier by searching

in your area e.g. “boiler installation in Kent” or “boiler

installation Surrey” and get yourself a quote. The

efficiency of a new boiler will save you money on

your heating bills for years to come.

4. Inspect & Clean Gutters

Clean out any gutters

and drain pipes to

your house. This will

make sure there is no

flooding outside your

home and will

prevent any gutters

from freezing when

temperatures drop.

5. Inspect Your Roof

If you find any broken

tiles on your roof, you

should get them

replaced ASAP.

Inspect your roof for

any other damage

that could let the

elements in.

6. Clean the

Fireplace/Chimney

Clear out ash and charred

wood from your fireplace. Get a

professional chimney sweeper

to clean out your chimney

breast and check the damper

to ensure no drafts come down

your chimney.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kerrinikolephotography/14242927110/

7. Check Your Insulation

Have a quick look in your

loft to see if there are any

bare spots that are not

covered by insulation.

Heat rises, so the roof is

where you are most likely

lose heat from your

house.

8. Close Off Vents

Close off all vents and

turn off heating in any

rooms that are not in use.

Only when you use a

room should you keep

the heating on.

Block up any open vents

to prevent heat-loss.

9. Use Draft Excluders

Should you find a particular

door in your home lets in a

draft, you should try to

prevent it by using draft

excluders.

These are especially useful

for main entrance doors.

http://www.dorothyandtheodore.com/blog/?p=1998

10. Switch Your Utility

Supplier

Energy bills are notoriously expensive

but you can often reduce your bills by

switching your providers.

Use cash-back sites such as Quidco to

help save you money when signing up

to new energy companies.

Compare energy providers online

through comparison sites like uSwitch.

Follow Me

For more hints and tips

on saving energy this

winter, follow me on

Twitter.

@JeffNevil