Fight the freeze: keeping warm this winter

Winter’s here, and getting your home ready for the cold weather and all it brings means you’re more likely to stay

warm and happy. Preparation is key if you’d prefer the coming months to be hassle free, so we’ve put together some handy hints and practical advice that will help you

keep your home warm and welcoming this winter.

Fixing damage to your home caused by frozen pipes that have burst can cost a small fortune – and be quite stressful, too. Here’s how to protect your home from freezing pipes, bursts and a nasty case of the soggy-carpet-no-heating blues this winter:

• Lag your pipes and water tanks – they’re less likely to freeze;

• pay particular attention to pipes in the garage or loft – and use waterproof lagging for outside pipes;

• fi nd your stop tap – it controls the water supply to your home and if you know where it is you’ll be able to turn the water off quickly if your pipes freeze or burst www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxPmt9EYAqg;

• repair dripping taps – if they freeze, they’ll block the pipe;

• protect outside taps with an insulated tap cover;

• keep the heating ticking-over – leave it on low, especially during severe weather and while you’re away, too;

• check your insurance to see if it covers plumbing emergencies – and keep your policy details and the number of a good plumber handy, just in case. To fi nd your nearest qualifi ed plumber, you can go to www.watersafe.org.uk

For more information about how to protect your home in winter, visit www.unitedutilities.com/winterwise.aspx or www.metoffi ce.gov.uk/learning/get-ready-for-winter/protecting-your-home/cold

1. Protect your pipes – they’re precious

As well as the more obvious ways to help keep your home toasty in winter – such as insulating your loft, considering cavity wall insulation and draught-proofing doors and windows – ensuring all your heating appliances are working safely and efficiently is good preparation for the colder months ahead.

• Give your gutters a clear-out – if they’re blocked, water could get into your home and cause damp, making keeping warm in winter more difficult;

• get your central heating system serviced – or ask your landlord to do so. An efficient heating system will save energy and money;

• give your radiators some TLC – bleeding them is quite easy. If your radiators are cold at the top and hot at the bottom, it means they need bleeding. For step-by-step instructions on how to bleed your radiators, visit www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/bleedrads.htm;

• if you have an open fire, get your chimney swept;

• check for draughts around the edges of window frames, gaps under your doors and around the letterbox – use draught excluders for doors, and it’s easy to fill in gaps round windows;

• don’t block-up air vents – fires and heaters need ventilation, and good ventilation also helps prevent condensation;

• test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms;

• close your curtains in the evening to help keep the heat inside and stop draughts coming in – fitting thermal linings will help, too.

For more information about keeping warm in winter, visit www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/get-ready-for-winter/health-and-welbeing/keep-warm

Don’t underestimate the difference ‘old-fashioned’ heatsaving tips can make to the warm ambiance of your home – they’re cheap and cheerful, but often very effective.

• Use specialist radiator foil or tin foil behind your radiators – to reflect heat back into the room;

• thick curtains with thermal linings make a room warmer;

• cover bare floorboards – they may be fashionable, but they don’t keep your feet warm! It’s also a good idea to fill in any gaps between skirting boards and floorboards.

For details on ‘low tech’ ways to keep your home warm, visit www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24757144

Summer’s a distant memory, but you can warm to winter. Being positive and embracing the changing seasons is difficult when it’s freezing outside, but making sure you have everything you need to hand will help you stay warm.

• Keep your main living area heated to around 70°F/21°C, and the rest of the place, including your bedroom, heated to at least 64°F/18°;

• dress to impress – several thinner layers of clothing are warmer than one thick layer and get some lovely warm jumpers. Wear snuggly pj’s in bed and add an extra blanket or two;

• stay active, even when indoors – keeping moving generates heat;

• eat well – a hot meal and plenty of hot drinks will help you stay comfortable even during the coldest snaps. A slow cooker is a great way to prepare a warming meal. For tasty winter recipes to keep you toasty from the inside, visit www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/top-20-winter;

• stock-up on essentials – your medicine cabinet with cold and flu remedies and your store cupboard and freezer with food that will last;

• keep your mobile phone, laptop or tablet fully charged and a radio and torch handy, then you can communicate if there’s a power cut.

For more information about staying warm and well in winter, visit www.nhs.uk/Livewell/winterhealth/Pages/KeepWarmKeepWell.aspx

2. Keeping your home warm and safe

3. Traditional ways to keep your home warm and cosy

4. Keeping yourself warm, safe and well

Keeping your home warm during the winter months means that your heating bill is likely to be one of your biggest household expenses. So it makes sense to check that you’re getting the best deal from your energy provider, so you’re not paying more than you have to.

• Find out if you are entitled to financial help with your energy bills – visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-warm-this-winter;

• check that your bill is correct – it pays to be able to read your gas and electricity meters and understand what the charges on your bills mean;

• you may be able to save some money by either switching tariff, or switching to a new supplier altogether – it’s now easier to make the move. Visit www.uswitch.com/;

• look into ways that you can make your home more energy efficient – for help, visit www.gov.uk/energy-grants-calculator

Living in a cold home can have a detrimental effect on the health of vulnerable people. So, as temperatures start to fall, as well as fighting the freeze in your own home you could make sure any elderly or vulnerable neighbours are warm, safe and well.

Remember, too, that feeling ‘warm’ in winter isn’t just about temperature, it’s also about friendship and company – not feeling alone and isolated. Contact the Elderly is a national charity that supports people who live alone with little or no help from friends, family or statutory services. To find out how the charity could help someone near you, visit www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/about-us/locations/north-west

Age UK also offers a range of advice to help older people keep warm in winter – visit www.ageuk.org.uk/health-wellbeing/keeping-your-body-healthy/winter-wrapped-up/winter-health-resources/

If you’re worried about being able to pay to stay warm this winter, or you know someone else who may be, Citizens Advice can advise on the financial help available, how to manage energy bills and introduce energy-efficiency measures into the home. Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/ or call the helpline on 03454 04 05 06 – you can call for yourself or on behalf of a vulnerable family member, friend or neighbour.

We offer additional help and support for our customers who need it. It might be that you’re older and have limited mobility; perhaps you have sight or hearing problems; maybe you’re disabled or have learning difficulties – or have a serious medical condition that affects the way you live. If you know of a family member, friend or neighbour that may appreciate extra care from us, let them know about the services on offer. www.unitedutilities.com/extracare.aspx

5. Be warm – but keep your money in your pocket!

6. Don’t suffer the cold in silence – help is on hand to keep you warm this winter