Getting ready for winter
With winter on the way, here's some information to help keep you and your home safe and warm during the cold weather.
Getting your home ready for winter
- Our heating appliances are serviced every year, but if you have missed your appointment. call us to arrange one
- Make sure you know where your stopcock is located and that it’s working, if not, call us to let us know
- Test your smoke alarm to check it’s working, if not, call us to let us know
Preparing for the cold weather
- Keep simple cold, flu and sore throat remedies in the house. Ask your local pharmacy if they offer a prescription pick up and delivery service
- Make sure you claim all the financial support you can to help with heating bills.
- Have your electric blanket serviced, this should be done every three years
- Keep a stock of basic food items in the cupboard and freezer in case it’s too cold to go shopping
- Keep a mixture of salt and sand handy to put on paths and steps in icyweather. Remember shops and supermarkets often run out of salt.
Save energy while keeping your home warm
- Keep the rooms you use most at a comfortable temperature of around 18 degrees- this is more efficient that turning your heating on and off.
- Shut your curtains in the evenings to reduce heat loss through your windows- making sure you tuck them behind any radiators so your radiators can better heat your room.
- Try to keep the space in front of your radiators clear, so that the heat from them can easily circulate and heat up the room.
- You can turn your radiators off in rooms you don’t really use and keep the doors shut.
- Draught excluders are a good option to prevent cold draughts from entering your rooms.
- Try putting on an extra layer on clothing at first rather than turning your heating up.
It’s important to keep your home warm this winter, for both your health and to avoid any problems with your property such as frozen pipes.
Electric Heater Safety
Portable electrical space heaters can be a convenient way of providing extra warmth in
your home. Unfortunately, they can alsopose significant fire and electric shock hazards if they are not used properly. Read our guide:
Your heating and boiler
As a Bernicia tenant, you will likley have either an Ideal or a Baxi brand of boiler. Here are some how to videos should you need to do any basic maintenance during the winter months:
Ideal boiler
How to Top Up The Pressure on Your Ideal Boiler – YouTube
How to Reset Your Ideal Heating Boiler – YouTube
How to Defrost a Frozen Condensate Pipe – YouTube
Baxi boiler
As winter sets in and we start experiencing more extreme weather, the risk of flooding increases.
For tips and advice on flooding risk and management, visit our flood management page.
Having home insurance in place is so important at any time of the year but as the winter arrives, there’s more risk to buildings and your belongings.
Unpredictable weather and an increase in burglaries as the nights draw in means you need be sure you’re covered.
It’s important you insure your furniture, belongings and decorations against fire, theft, vandalism or water damage such as burst pipes.
Find out more about how we can help
Damp, condensation and mould
We know that damp and mould can be concerning for Bernicia tenants, particularly in the winter months.
We want to you know that we’re here to help if it’s a problem in your home and we’re here to work with you to find a solution.