Preparing for Winter

With winter just around the corner, it’s a good time to start getting your home ready for the colder months. A few small steps now can make a big difference, helping you stay warm, safe, and comfortable, while keeping your energy bills under control. Here are some simple things you can do:

1. Stop Heat Escaping

Heat can escape through doors, floors, and windows.

• Block gaps under doors with draught stoppers (or even a rolled-up towel).
• Close your curtains early to keep warmth in.
• Use rugs on laminate or wood flooring to prevent heat loss.

💡 Top tip: Thick curtains are very useful but can be expensive to buy brand new. Visit your local charity shop to see if they have any for a cheaper price.

2. Check Your Heating

Make sure everything works before it gets too cold.

• Test your heating and let us know straight away if something isn't working.

💡 Top tip: If your radiators feel cold in places even when the heating is on, they might need bleeding. This means letting trapped air out of them. You can do this yourself at home with a radiator key. Find out more about bleeding your radiators here: How to bleed a radiator: step-by-step guide - Which?

If you’re not sure how, or it doesn’t solve the problem, please get in touch so we can help.

3. Protect Your Pipes

Pipes can freeze in winter. If they burst this can cause lots of damage. To stop this happening:

• Let taps drip a little in freezing cold weather.
• Open your cupboard doors so warm air can reach the pipes in your home.
• Drain your outdoor taps and wrap them in something to keep the heat in, like foam covers.

💡 Top tip: Keep your heating on a steady, low setting in cold weather. Turning the heating off and back on can use more energy than keeping it on low all the time. This also helps stop damp and mould forming. 

4. Reduce Damp and Mould

Damp and mould are more common in winter. Try to stop them from forming if you can, and tell us quickly if you notice them, so we can help before they become a big problem.

We have lots of tips here: Prevent & Report Damp, Mould & Condensation - North Star Housing Group

5. Stay Warm & Look After Each Other

• Keep a few essentials at home in case of bad weather, such as blankets, warm clothes, tinned food, and any medicines you need.
• Check in on neighbours and friends during the colder months, especially if they are older or have long-term health problems.

💡 Top tip: Layering clothes keeps you warmer than just one thick jumper.

Worried about energy costs this winter?
Get in touch with our Welfare Benefits team for free advice and support:

• Email: Welfare.Benefits@northstarhg.co.uk
• Call the team via Customer Services: 03000 11 00 11