Winter energy-saving checklist
A little prep before the cold sets in keeps your home warmer and your bills lower all winter. Here's the checklist.
Winter is when energy bills bite hardest, so a bit of preparation pays off. Run through this checklist before the cold weather arrives.
Before winter
- Bleed all radiators so they heat fully and evenly.
- Check and top up boiler pressure if needed.
- Book a boiler service so it runs efficiently and reliably.
- Draught-proof doors, windows and the loft hatch.
- Check loft insulation depth — top up toward 270mm if it's thin.
- Bleed and check towel rails and bathroom radiators.
- Set the heating timer for your winter routine.
- Fit or check thermostatic radiator valves.
During winter
- Keep the thermostat at the lowest comfortable temperature.
- Close curtains at dusk; open them on sunny days.
- Keep radiators clear of furniture and washing.
- Leave the heating on a low background level in very cold snaps to avoid frozen pipes.
- Keep interior doors closed to hold heat in used rooms.
The single best pre-winter job
If your loft insulation is thin or missing, sorting it before winter is the biggest single difference you can make to how warm your home feels and how much you spend keeping it that way.
Don't forget the boiler service
The worst time to discover your boiler has a problem is the first truly cold night. Booking a service in autumn means any issues are caught before you're relying on the heating daily — and it keeps your warranty valid. It's the one job worth doing before winter rather than during it.
Keep pipes from freezing
- Lag exposed pipes, especially in the loft and outside.
- In very cold snaps, leave the heating on a low background setting.
- Know where your stopcock is in case of a burst.
More practical advice in our Insights & Guides.