You may have noticed that the weather has now started to change. With this in mind, it’s essential to make sure your home is ready for autumn and winter, specifically, that your heating system and appliances work correctly. Here is a list of ten essential things you’ll need to check around the house this autumn to keep you toasty.

10 Steps to Keeping Your Home Warm this Autumn

  • Have your boiler regularly serviced. Making sure that both your hot water and heating systems work properly before winter sets in is vital. Whether you use individual heaters to warm your home, or you have a conventional central heating system, make sure it works properly, as it’ll be getting some serious use in the coming months.
  • Choose the Best Programme. No, we’re not talking your favourite TV show. Rather, the program on your thermostat. Make sure that it suits the living habits of everyone in your property, as well as the hours of occupation. There’s nothing more annoying than returning home to a freezing cold property or needing to take a shower before work only to discover there’s no hot water left.
  • Use Your Thermostat Properly. Thermostats need to be placed in the right room. Rooms which are too warm can lead to the thermostat cutting off too quickly, leaving the remainder of the house too cold. Or, if a thermostat is placed in an overly cold room, the house may become excessively warm. If your thermostat is fixed, you might benefit from swapping to a remote one as you’ll have tighter control of this.
  • Test Heating Before Use. Before the weather takes a turn for the worst, now is the right time to make sure all your appliances and heating system are working correctly. If there are problems, at least you have time to sort them before temperatures plummet.
  • Check Your Energy Tariff. Are you paying a reasonable price for your energy? Heating a home throughout autumn and winter tends not to be cheap, which is why we recommend reviewing your current deal and seeing if you can find anything more reasonable. Imagine how much you could save by switching to a better deal with another provider?
  • Fix Draughts. Regardless of how efficient your heating system is, a draughty home will waste energy and push up your bills. Check all your doors and windows, renewing rubber seals that have perished. You might be able to do this yourself. However, for large windows, you will need a professional to complete this job.
  • Clean Gutters. Inside jobs before the winter are essential. However, outdoor jobs are perhaps even more so, considering greater exposure to the elements. Before winter sets in, clear all debris and leaves from gutters. This lowers the risk of moisture getting into the walls or roof of your home, which can cause severe damage.
  • Prepare for Power Cuts. You never know when a power cut might strike. Of course, during summer, its not so much of a problem. However, in winter, lack of preparation before one can cause much discomfort. So, be sure always to have candles, matches and a torch in a nearby draw, so you’re never caught short.
  • Lower Moisture Levels. While the summer was the perfect time to get clothes dry on the washing line, winter will soon be creeping in, and we will be forced to hang them on an airer indoors. Add in the use of central heating, and you can see why excess moisture becomes an issue. Thankfully, dehumidifiers can help lower the risk of mould and condensation. They also help dry your laundry quicker.
  • Review Home Insurance. As the winter sets in and temperatures fall, water pipes become at risk of getting damaged by frost, resulting in leaks and flooding. Would your existing home insurance policy cover you if this happened? If it doesn’t, see if you can amend it, or look for a new policy that would keep you covered.

Your Home Maintenance Checklist Before Autumn and Winter

  1. Make sure your hot water and boiler system work correctly.
  2. Set your heating thermostat to suit living habits and hours of occupation.
  3. Ensure your thermostat is located in the right place to ensure the perfect temperature.
  4. Don’t wait until winter to test your heating. You never know, it might have stopped working when you need it most.
  5. Take a look at your energy – consider swapping to a different provider if they’re cheaper.
  6. Seal draughts around doors and windows to save money on your heating bills.
  7. Clean debris from gutters to prevent moisture from entering your home.
  8. Have essential items stashed in a draw during winter in case of a power cut.
  9. Check your existing home insurance covers burst pipes and update if necessary.
  10. Consider using a dehumidifier when drying clothing inside during winter.