Much of the preparation for the winter period is common sense, though many homeowners make no allowance for the oncoming change in the weather. By making the home prepared for the winter season, so much is gained from so little effort, and it really is worthwhile looking into preparation to save expensive heating bills, and costs which may be incurred if a homeowner neglects this preparation.

*Insulation.

*Window and door drafts.

*Servicing the furnace.

*Sweeping the chimney.

*Ensuring that pipes are protected from frost.

*Installation of non slip doormats.

*Checking roof and gutter.

*Checking garden.

Insulation.

One of the areas of heat loss in a house is through walls and ceiling. If it is possible to upgrade your insulation, this may well save costs over the winter period. Check all loft insulation and ensure that it is well placed and does not have areas unprotected. It is always worth checking the prices of new insulation. The latest styles of insulation mean they are lightweight and very easy to install.

Window and door drafts.

Often the space around windows and doors lets out a lot of the warmth your heating system gives your home. Buy tapes to seal these areas. Good quality is worth buying as opposed to cheap strips since this will last longer, and not get in the way of efficient painting next year.

If the outside doors let in draft below them, consider adding a brush strip to them, as this doesn't make the door harder to open and close, though will protect the home from losing heat.

Servicing the furnace.

As a rule it is a good idea to have a full service once a year on your furnace. If you take out a maintenance contract with a reputable company, this will cover leaky radiators and all the problems which a homeowner may encounter during the year. They come out once a year to give the boiler a good service and this means that the boiler or furnace will last longer and give better service during the winter months.

Sweeping the chimney.

Before starting to light fires or wood-burning stoves, make sure that your chimney is cleaned. It is wise here as well to use a professional. What happens in rural locations is that birds may have nested within the chimney, and left their nests within the chimney itself. When you light fires, there is a danger of the chimney catching alight if it is not swept thoroughly once a year. This really is important, since if you cannot prove sufficient care, you may find that insurance companies will refuse

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