The winter months are beginning to draw in which means you might soon be seeing an increase in your heating and energy bills, especially if your home is not quite up to scratch. Follow our guide to preparing your home for winter.
1. Upgrade/service the Boiler
It’s better to deal with this one now before it gets colder. That old gas boiler you’ve got ticking away could be costing you more money than it’s worth and might not be doing the same effective job it was doing in the 80’s. Getting it serviced (or replaced!) could save you money, energy and could save you from potential carbon monoxide poisoning.
As an additional tip, give your trees a good grooming, paying close attention to the dead looking branches. The last thing you need is a big branch falling on a loved one, your car or your house!
2. Exclude those Draughts!
You probably don’t even notice a draught during the summer months, in fact, you’re probably grateful for a bit of cold air! During the winter months, however, that draught will seriously contribute to lower temperatures in your home. Make sure you get some draught excluders for the offending doors and windows. If your chimney is decorative, it’s also worth buying a specialist draught excluder to stop the hot air escaping and the cold air rushing in.
3. Bleed the radiators!
Many of us rely on our radiators as the main source of heat during the winter months. So it makes sense that you should ensure they’re all in tip-top condition. If they feel colder at the top than they do at the bottom, then they need to be bled. Grab the key and a towel and get cracking! Your home will be toasty in no time.
4. Protect your pipes
We’ve all read the horror stories about pipes bursting on Christmas day, ruining the day for families. Protect yourself from this disaster by surrounding your pipes in a foam coat known as “lagging”. This way your pipes will be protected from freezing and will reduce the risk of a soggy winter.
5. Double check your energy provider
It can be a mistake to stay put when it comes to your energy provider. If you shop around then you will almost certainly find a better deal. Less money spent on the heating means more money for spending on hot chocolate and thick woolly cardigans!
The list is endless so to get the best advice on your property before doing anything else get a FREE initial consultation with one of our experts at Fife Properties by clicking here https://www.fifeproperties.co.uk/contact/
