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10 Ways to Winter-Proof your home!

Date Published 18 December 2020

10 Ways to Winter-Proof Your Home

Winter has well and truly arrived, but how do you make sure your home is running as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible over the colder months?

Here, we've put together our top 10 tips to make sure your home is in the best shape over the upcoming winter season.


1. Set the right temperature

To make sure your house is staying as cosy as possible, it's recommended that you set your thermostat to between 18 and 21 degrees celsius; if your home is well insulated, you may be able to keep it towards the lower end of the scale. Central heating costs can quickly add up over the winter period too, but did you know that by turning your thermostat down just 1 degree, you could save around 10% on your energy bills?

2. Upgrade your boiler

Upgrading your boiler can feel like a big job, but it's an important one. If you have a boiler which is more than six years old, you could benefit from a huge reduction in your heating bills by upgrading to a newer model. It's also vital that you have your boiler serviced regularly by a qualified and registered engineer.

3. See if you can benefit from the Green Homes Grant

Last month we wrote about the new Green Homes Grant, and it's definitely worth checking whether you're eligible for the government scheme. If you own your own home or are a residential landlord, you can benefit from a government grant of up to £5,000 to help with cavity wall insulation, under-floor insulation and loft insulation. If you qualify for the first part of the grant, you could also use it for help with double glazing and draught proofing, amongst others.




4. Bleed your radiators

This is a simple and quick fix if you're finding your home is not heating as effectively as usual. If your radiators feel cold at the top and hotter at the bottom, this is a sure sign that they're due to be bled. Simply turn the valve to release excess air and be ready to tighten them again quickly, as water can flow out suddenly.


5. Don't let draughts in

Sometimes, it's the simplest things that can cause heat loss in your property and this means that your heating costs can quickly mount up. Whether that's leaving a door open for the cold to escape, leaving gaps underneath doors or having unlined curtains, take a look around each room to see where heat could be being wasted. Easy fixes like a draught excluder can make a big difference and don't take too much effort to implement.

6. Clear your gutters

If your gutters are clogged with sticks or leaves, this could be encouraging dampness to get into your walls. And as the weather turns frosty, if your gutter is blocked with water, it could freeze and eventually pull away from your home, which would cause further damage down the line. Make sure you're checking gutters regularly for any build up to ensure you're not left with a big job on your hands further down the line.

7. Effectively dry your laundry

It's a difficult task when it comes to drying your laundry in the colder months but try not to cover your radiators directly as this can inhibit them from heating your room effectively. Doing this can also contribute to condensation inside your home, which in turn can lead to stubborn mould growth that can be difficult and costly to get rid of.

Instead, opt to dry your laundry on a clothes maiden instead to make sure the air is circulating as much as possible. It's also worth considering heat reflectors behind your radiators.



8. Look after your pipes

Pipes can be susceptible to freezing over the colder months and this can cause them to burst, and in the worst cases, flood your house. To reduce the risk of frozen pipes, you could try wrapping pipes with sponge covers, which are available to buy cheaply online. If you have a water tank in particularly cold places, like a loft, it's a good idea to insulate these too.

If you're away from your property for longer spells this winter, consider leaving your central heating on between 12 - 15 degrees as this can stop internal pipes from freezing.

9. Check your roof

We don't tend to check our roofs very often throughout the year, but it's important to check whether you have any missing or cracked tiles up there during winter. Don't forget to also check other parts of your roof, including the facia and soffit for any damage that might not have caught your eye.

If you have cracked or missing tiles on your roof, they could let in rain which would in turn cause damp and rot, so it's better to act sooner rather than later and use the expertise of a professional.

10. Check for any gaps around your windows

Double glazing is the best option for stopping heat from escaping from your windows but it's also worth checking for any cracks or gaps that have appeared. You can easily seal these up using insulating strips - this can make a really big difference.


We hope these tips will come in useful this winter! As estate agents in Liverpool, we offer honest and professional advice when it comes to residential and commercial sales, letting, property management and many more related services.
At Marshall Property, our qualified team of local experts are here to offer advice if you're looking to buy, sell or let property across Liverpool. If you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you.