5 Ways to Winter Proof Your Home
One thing I have noticed with the weather getting colder is the bungalow isn’t as warm as the old flat, we have to have the heating on more and I am already snuggling up under a thick wool blanket to try and stay a bit warmer. So I have been trying to think of some ways, other than extra layers and blankets to winter proof the home just a little bit more.
Check your Insulation
We had an inspection last week into the energy efficiency of the bungalow and while we are still awaiting the full results we do know that they loft insulation is coming in at a lot less than the recommend amount. So that is definitely something I will be looking into and seeing if we can get fixed and I would definitely suggest checking out your own as well.
Have your Boiler Serviced
Making sure your boiler is in the best condition it can be, before winter sets in, is a must. Not only will it help keep your home as warm as possible, but it will be more energy efficient as well.
Clear Gutters and Drains
This is one that perhaps people don’t always think of, blockages in your drains over winter can cause a lot of water damage to your home, so before it gets too chilly, make sure you check if they need clearing out. It is also worth insulating any pipes that run on the outside of your home, such as outside taps and those for your central heating.
Switch Energy Providers
With winter comes your highest energy usage of the year, so there is no better time to check out if you are on the best tariff for you and see if in the long term you could save some money, by switching energy providers.
Check Windows and Doors
It is worth having a check of your doors and windows and seeing if they are letting in any extra drafts. If they are, then using things like draught excluders and thermally insulated curtains can at least help a little, if you can’t afford to completely replace.
Of course there are a lot more things you can and should do to winter proof your home but hopefully this small list well help set you on the right path. It is also worth keeping a note of emergency electrician and gas engineer numbers should the worst happen and you need someone quickly.
What is your top tip for winter proofing your home?
*This is a collaborative post.
Such a good advice! I did check my boiler this year, but normally I don’t use to do all of this and then… you can get a surprise…
This is a great checklist to have on hand.. Thanks for sharing!
— DT
Great suggestions!!!! When we first moved into our home we learned the hard way that our doors and windows leaked all the cold in!!
We should really need to get ready on winter, I’m glad that we already fix anything before the winter.
This will be our first winter in our new home. The weather is starting to chill off, definitely finding some drafty areas.
Our home is so cold in the winter and literally eats the central heating! The insulation is so bad xxx
very helpful tips here. Its very important to winter proof your home
Some great tips here Sarah – its so important to winter proof your home
Winter proofing your home is so important and not many people know you need to! Great tips especially on checking the windows!
We’ve been doing most of these over the last few weeks. Winter here in Canada can get pretty brutal so it’s a must! Thanks for the reminders!
These are such great tips, we always make sure there are no draughts coming from the windows and doors! Sadly my flat is always cold as I live with communal heating meaning someone else controls as and when they think the heat should go on… Portable heaters are my life saver! xx
These are fantastic tips that are very helpful, thank you 😀
Thank you for the reminders! I have spent the last 8 years in California, I completely forgot about some of these things I need to remember to check!
These are great things to check. I always make sure to check my windows and doors for drafts.
We have just moved to a new but bigger house so we are now finding what things can be done to keep our home warmer. I think I need to invest in some draft excluder’s we keep the heating on when we are out but turn it down low so it doesn’t waste as much when it flares up again when we are home.
We were just talking about doing some winter proofing for our home. Thank you for the great tips.
One of my top tips is just to put fleecey blankets all around my house to snuggle up with haha. I’m quite lucky being in a new build all the boiler systems etc are very new x
Yes blankets are the best – I got a new one today and it perfect!
These are all great tips for winter proofing your home. It is so important to check the chimney before turning the furnace on and fixing the drafts from windows along with doors. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Great tips, these. We had major house renovations done two years ago – new insulation and blockwork and the difference is amazing. House is toasty warm now!
I need to check the insulation. We just moved into the house over the summer so I have no idea what it’s like during the winter.
Or…. Do what I do and moved back home to Florida. Winter proof! LOL – Just kidding. We still have to do things to save on energy – and we get an annual energy audit from our power company.
I so dislike winter and the cold. Time to winter proof my house.
I definitely have to start preparing now. I want to make sure the boiler is in good shape but I’m excited to use the fireplace too.
Great reminder I need to get this done. Next Thursday our temps drop for the next several months.
These are all excellent tips for winterizing a home. Always so much to think of when you have harsh winter months.