Get Your Home Winter Ready

Winter is just around the corner! Jo and Ian from the property team at Jubilee House have provided some helpful tips and support for ensuring your home is winter ready. Follow the tips below and if you have any further questions you can contact property@southwell.anglican.org

Tips To Help Get Your Home Winter Ready in 2024 

Test Your Heating 

With the hectic winter period in full swing, you may not have had the time or energy to fully assess your home’s heating status and identify any potential weak spots. 

Being proactive in these checks can make a world of difference when the temperatures outside begin to plummet. 

Start by checking your heating system, including radiators, electric heaters, and heat pumps, to ensure they are working efficiently.  

During winter months, maintain a consistent temperature inside your home.

Bleed radiators that have cold spots at the top to maximise their performance.  

Check Windows And Doors 

It may sound obvious, but being diligent around the home for any windows or doors left slightly open, via latches to allow fresh air into the property in the warmer months, can also bolster home heating once they are identified and fully closed. 

Draught excluders in key positions such as behind large access doors may also be a help in terms of reducing the chills while being less frivolous with the heat your boiler produces. 

 Locate Your Stopcock 

In case of emergencies (including burst pipes and subsequent property flooding) it is extremely relevant to know the location of your stopcock. 

A stopcock is the control tap for your home’s mains water supply, turning this off will cut the cold water system connection helping to limit further damage in the event of a serious leak. 

A stopcock is usually located underneath a kitchen sink but could also be: in an airing cupboard, under the stairs, near the front door, in the bathroom, utility room, garage or cellar. It looks like a small tap/valve. 

How do I keep my room warm at night in winter? 

To keep your room warm during winter nights, use heavy curtains or thermal linings to retain heat inside the room, and consider adding rugs or other soft furnishings to help insulate your floor. 

Keep your home warm by using central heating or a portable heater on a timer. 

Naturally keep your room warm in winter by maximising the sunlight entering during the day, and closing curtains as soon as it gets dark to preserve the heat that has been generated.  Furthermore, rearranging furniture to avoid blocking radiators can also help improve heat distribution within the room. 

Notice something wrong?

If there is something wrong with your diocesan property please contact the Property Team during office hours on property.repairs@southwell.anglican.org or by telephone on 07712 835267 or 01636 817214.

Please include the following in your message:

• Who you are and your contact details,
• Where your property is (address/post code) and where the problem is,
• What the problem is to do with (e.g., boiler, windows, taps, etc.),
• When you first noticed the problem (and if it has previously been reported, and to whom).
• Describe the problem and how long it has been happening. If possible, how did it happen?
• A Photo of the problem

If there is an emergency with your property during evenings or weekends and when the office is closed, please use this link to find out more.