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December is the month when the severe weather sets in. Weather bulletins are full of warnings about severe weather during the winter, often accompanied by tips on how to stay warm at this time of year. You should have all your heating and cooking equipment maintained and overhauled at least once a year to ensure that it’s fit for purpose. Severe weather can place a strain on heating units and cooking facilities which is why maintenance is so important. Being without heat and light or the means to cook is a pain at the best of times, but it is far worse, and can be dangerous when the weather is severe.
Make sure that there is no draught from your windows as these should fit snugly into their frames. If you don’t have the luxury of double glazing then it’s worth tacking polythene sheeting around your windows to keep the draught out and the warmth in. Modern UPVC windows are far better at keeping the cold out and the heat in than old fashioned sash ones. UPVC has certain insulating properties that are absent from glass, which means you are not only warmer but you are not sending your heat out into the cold.
Loft Insulation
If you’ve not yet had a grant for loft insulation then now is the time to apply for it. When your loft is not insulated at least forty percent of the heat in your home is going out of the top of your roof. Don’t continue to waste money on energy by heating the outside of your home, get your loft insulated, and keep the heat in and save money. Most people don’t realise just how much money they are wasting when they have an uninsulated loft. It doesn’t take long to insulate a loft and the government is paying for it so get yours done as soon as possible.
Layer Up
Children and old people are particularly vulnerable in severe weather and the best way for them to keep warm is to wear several layers of clothing. Don’t underestimate the value of a thermal vest in the winter as these can make all the difference to how warm or cold you may feel. Cold reaches your extremities first, if you are susceptible to the cold then wear a hat in bed and even around the house if it helps. Human beings lose an awful lot of heat through their head so it makes sense to keep it covered during severe weather spells.
Three or four light layers are much more effective than one or two heavy ones because the warm air can circulate between the layers, keeping the heat in. Have a winter weight quilt on your bed as this can make all the difference on cold nights. Old people especially benefit from having their bed warmed by a hot water bottle for a while, a cheaper and often safer way of keeping warm than an electric blanket.
If you feel a draught coming from the front or back entrance to your home then draught excluders and door curtains will keep the heat in. Just a few simple tricks will keep you warm and well when the weather is severe.
This articlew was written by Crispin Jones on behalf of Stormclad, suppliers of windows in Nottingham.
After too many harsh Christmasses, Crispin decided that this was the year he would invest in double glazing.
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