HOMES AND GARDENS
Keep warm and carry on
Winter home improvement tips
W
ith enough expense at Christmas as it is follow
our top tips on keeping your energy bill costs
down this Christmas and stay cosy simply by
keeping your home warm and dry this winter.
Start by having your boiler serviced – servicing
your boiler will prevent it from breaking down when
you need it most. An annual service will ensure that
your boiler is safe and running at its most efficient, as
well as detect any minor faults which could lead to
serious problems. A gas boiler should only be serviced
by a Gas Safe boiler specialist; if you have an oil boiler
then you need to hire an OFTEC registered boiler
expert.
Keep on top of roof repairs - winter wind, rain,
snow and freezing temperatures can take their toll on
your roof. If there’s something wrong with your roof
your home can become cold, damp, expensive to heat
and even structurally unsound. So make sure that you
regularly inspect your roof and repair any leaks,
replace broken tiles and check that fascias and soffits
are in good condition. It’s also essential to make sure
your guttering is well maintained and free-flowing, so
have it regularly cleaned.
Stop your pipes from freezing – when the weather
turns sub-zero, water pipes can freeze and burst,
causing substantial damage to your home. You can
stop this from happening by: Insulating your home
and your pipes, fixing leaky taps, disconnecting your
hose and keeping your heating on low during cold
weather. A plumber can insulate your pipes and deal
with cracked or burst pipes.
“
Double glaze your windows - if you have single
glazed windows, much of the money you spend on
heating your home is quite literally going straight out
of the window. Double glazing your windows will keep
your home warm and could save you up to £135 a year
on your heating bills and cut your carbon emissions by
720kg annually. Added benefits of double glazing
include increased security and sound proofing as well
as reduced condensation and a possible boost to the
value of your home.
Get insulated – in cold weather your home loses
more heat than ever, especially if it’s poorly insulated.
Check that your walls are externally insulated or fitted
with cavity wall insulation and that you have at least
270mm of insulation in your loft. You may even be
eligible for a government grant towards the cost of
insulating your home; check with your local council for
details.
Damp proof your home – during the winter
months damp can really creep into your home. To
prevent this from happening, ensure you have a damp
proofing course installed; check that gutters and
downward pipes are clear and that your roof is in good
repair. Protect against condensation by ensuring
humidity levels stay at 65-70%. A damp proofing
expert can carry out a survey on your home to diagnose
and treat damp.
Heat your home with a wood stove – installing a
wood stove or boiler could be an eco-friendly option
for your home, especially if you don’t have access
to a gas mains. A wood burner could save you as
®
Follow our top tips on
keeping your energy bill costs
down this Christmas
38 December 2013/ January 2014
”