Get Your Home Ready for Winter: An Autumn Checklist
It might not feel like winter just yet, but autumn is a useful time to tackle a few jobs around the home before the colder weather properly arrives.
A little preparation now could mean fewer things to think about when you'd much rather be inside with a cup of tea than dealing with a problem in the cold.
You don't have to do everything in one weekend, either. Work your way through our autumn checklist and tick things off as and when you have time.
Check your heating before you really need it
If your heating has barely been used over the summer, it's worth checking that everything is working before the first properly cold day arrives.
Turn your heating on and check that your radiators are warming up as expected. If something doesn't seem right, dealing with it now gives you more time to get it looked at rather than discovering the problem when you really need the heating.
If your boiler or another heating appliance needs servicing or repairing, make sure you use an appropriately qualified professional.
It's also a good opportunity to remind yourself how your thermostat and heating controls work. You may have changed the settings during the summer and completely forgotten about them by now.
Have a quick hunt for draughts
Nobody wants to pay to warm a room only for the heat to disappear through gaps around doors and windows.
On a cooler or breezier day, have a walk around your home and check whether you can feel obvious draughts around windows, external doors, letterboxes or other gaps.
Simple measures such as draught excluders may help in some areas, although make sure you don't block any ventilation that is supposed to be there.
While you're at it, look at the positioning of your furniture. A sofa pushed directly against a radiator could make it harder for warm air to circulate around the room.
Give your gutters and drains a little attention
Autumn leaves look lovely on the trees. They're slightly less appealing when they're blocking a drain.
Leaves and other debris can build up in gutters and outdoor drains, so autumn is a sensible time to check them.
You don't need to put yourself at risk to do it. Check what you can safely from ground level and, if work at height or specialist equipment is needed, consider getting someone appropriately qualified to do it for you.
A five-minute look around the outside of your home could help you spot something that needs attention before the wetter winter weather arrives.
Help protect your pipes from the cold
Freezing temperatures can cause problems for exposed water pipes, so it's worth knowing which parts of your plumbing may be more vulnerable before winter.
Check pipes in colder areas such as garages, lofts or outside spaces and look for any obvious signs of damage. Pipe insulation may be appropriate for exposed pipes, but get professional advice if you're unsure what your home needs.
There's another useful bit of household knowledge to pick up while you're doing this: do you know where your stopcock is?
If you ever need to turn off your home's water supply, knowing where to find it beforehand can save a frantic search later.
Look out for damp and condensation
Colder weather can make condensation more noticeable, particularly around windows.
A little condensation isn't necessarily a reason to panic, but persistent condensation, damp patches or mould shouldn't simply be ignored.
Keep an eye on areas where moisture tends to collect and make sure you're using any ventilation provided in kitchens and bathrooms.
If you notice persistent damp or mould, it's important to find out what's causing it rather than simply covering it up. If you rent your home, report problems with the property to your landlord or housing provider.
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
This one only takes a few moments but deserves a place on the list.
Check that the smoke alarms in your home are working properly and test them regularly, following the manufacturers instructions. You can find more information in the government's fire safety guidance for your home.
It's also important to have appropriate carbon monoxide alarms where required. Carbon monoxide can be produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal or wood don't burn properly, so working alarms and properly maintained appliances are important.
If you're unsure about the alarms you need or where they should be positioned, check the government's guidance on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Give your outside space an autumn tidy
Your garden, balcony or outside space may not get quite as much attention once the colder, darker evenings arrive.
Take a look around for things that might be better stored away or secured before winter. That could include garden furniture, children's outdoor toys, plant pots or other loose items.
It's also a good opportunity to clear fallen leaves from paths and steps and check that outside lights are working.
You don't need to transform the garden. Think of it more as making life a little easier for yourself over the next few months.
Find the things you only need when something goes wrong
Where's the torch?
And, more importantly, does it actually work?
There are a handful of things we tend not to think about until we suddenly need them. Autumn is a good opportunity to check you have useful household essentials somewhere easy to find.
That might include a working torch, spare batteries, a charged power bank and the contact details you'll need if there's a problem with your gas, electricity or water supply.
You don't need to prepare for every possible eventuality – just make sure the useful things aren't buried at the back of a cupboard when you need them.
Check what help you may be entitled to with energy costs
As the heating starts going back on, it's also worth checking whether your household may be eligible for support with energy costs.
Depending on your circumstances, support may be available through schemes such as the Warm Home Discount or Winter Fuel Payment.
Eligibility and how support is provided can change, so check the latest information before relying on it.
Your autumn home checklist
Before winter arrives, take a few minutes to check:
Your heating is working as expected
You know how your heating controls are set
Doors and windows don't have obvious draughts
Radiators aren't being blocked by furniture
Gutters and outside drains look clear from areas you can safely inspect
Exposed pipes are ready for colder weather
You know where your stopcock is
You've checked for signs of damp, mould or persistent condensation
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working
Loose outdoor items are stored or secured
You have a working torch and other useful household essentials
You've checked whether you could be eligible for help with energy costs
A little preparation now can make winter easier
Getting your home ready for winter doesn't have to mean spending an entire weekend working through a huge list of jobs.
Start with the simple things you can check yourself and deal with anything that needs attention before the colder weather arrives. Even knowing where your stopcock is or discovering that the torch needs new batteries is one less thing to figure out when you actually need it.
Pick a couple of jobs to start with and work your way through the rest during autumn. By the time winter arrives, you'll hopefully be able to concentrate on staying warm rather than wondering what you forgot to do.
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