Get ready for lower temperatures. Winter-proof your home

Did you know that up to a quarter of your home's heat escapes through the roof? And even if your loft’s insulated, it's worth checking it meets the recommended 250mm to 270mm depth before winter sets in.

If fitted properly, loft insulation can last up to 40 years. It typically costs a couple of hundred pounds to install, so it'll pay for itself many times over with the savings you’ll make on your energy bills.

We can help with both loft insulation and cavity wall insulation – and even let you know if you’re eligible for government funding to help with the cost of insulation.

Clearing out the gutter might not be your idea of a fun weekend. But whilst the weather’s mild, it's a great time to clear the debris left behind by high winds and rain.

Good drainage prevents a multitude of water-related problems, from seeping damp to major leaks.

Proper gutter maintenance is a good idea for insurance purposes, too. So clear those leaves and sticks to protect your home from water damage when the weather turns.

Give your boiler pressure a check before things turn cold. It'll run best at around 1 to 1.5 bar, and you can check this via the gauge on the front of your boiler unit.

See our handy guide to correcting boiler pressure issues if you need to adjust yours.

Bleeding radiators will not only increase their heat efficiency, it could save you money on your heating bills too.

It's quick and easy to do, and relatively disruption-free while the weather's still mild.

So if your radiators are cold at the top and hot at the bottom, see our step-by-step video for instructions on how to bleed your radiators and save yourself a cold and costly winter.

Making your home as energy efficient as possible this winter is key to keeping on top of your energy bills. But while you may want to make your home greener, it can be confusing to know where to start.

Enter Home Health Check, your personalised plan to help cut your home’s carbon footprint – and your energy bills. One of our experts will visit you at home to give you a detailed assessment of your home’s energy efficiency using thermal imagery – and tailored tips to improve it. They’ll answer all your questions and leave you a detailed report of their recommendations.

Servicing your boiler annually can stop any minor problems becoming more serious.

It also helps ensure that your heating sees you through those chilly winter months. Make sure you get it done when the weather's warmer and you’ll help avoid the hassle of no hot water or heating when it's cold outside.

You can book a one-off service with one of our expert engineers, or if you have HomeCare just log in to your account to book your annual service.

Insulated tubing costs very little, and you can buy it from most DIY stores and fit it yourself.

Wrap those pipes up warm ahead of winter and you’ll prevent freezing and heat loss. Focus on the pipes that take hot water from your boiler or cylinder to your hot water taps.

You’ll find them in airing cupboards, next to your boiler (between the boiler and hot water tank), or under your kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Even with your heating running efficiently and your roof insulated, you can still lose heat through your doors and windows.

Draught excluders are a cheap and effective way of winter-proofing your doorways.

To seal up gaps around your windows, you could use caulk or buy a simple DIY window insulation kit.

Cracked or missing roof tiles can lead to leaks and flooding. And they can even invalidate your home insurance if improper upkeep leads to weather damage.

So don't wait to see what happens when winter comes. Try to spot issues in advance from street level or from a neighbouring property.  

And if you don't feel comfortable climbing a ladder? Call in the professionals.

Do you know where your stopcock is?

In the (rare) event that your pipes do freeze up, you'll want to prevent a build-up of pressure forming behind the blockage and leading to a burst pipe.

So familiarise yourself with the whereabouts of your stopcock and make sure that you can access it easily. It’s the little tap or lever on your copper pipes, often found under your sink.

Learn more about looking after your boiler in our handy guides