Top 10 Tips for Staying Warm this Winter
Published 7 Dec 2010 09:07
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As freezing temperatures and snow continue to spread across Scotland, residents can make sure their homes are winter-proofed with help from the Scotland's Home Energy Hotline.
Households in Scotland spend around £660 on heating their home and hot water each year, while a quarter of heat from your home is lost through the roof,* which is why the Home Energy Scotland campaign has been launched to help keep Scot's homes warm across the country.
The Scottish Government's hotline and website offers a one-stop service of expert advice and practical tips on how Scottish residents can make their homes warmer and save money. There are a range of measures on offer including free or discounted insulation and central heating system and advisors can also provide help on to how to switch to cheaper electricity and gas tariffs and help to ensure people are claiming their full pension and benefit support.
Ensuring that your home is properly heated is easy to do. Following these simple tips from our Hotline Energy Experts will help householders maintain a warm home this winter:
1.Set your heating timer correctly so that it turns on shortly before you arrive home, ensuring the house is warm enough for your return.
2.If possible set your hot water to come on only at times when you need it.
3.Only heat the main living areas of your home – turn down radiators and keep doors shut in less used parts of the house or rooms you are not using.
4.Make sure boilers and thermostats are turned up high enough to heat your house - check the valves on your radiators are open/turned up; make sure the central heating and boiler thermostats are set high enough.
5.Keep radiators free of obstructions so that air can flow freely.
6.Close your curtains at dusk.
7.Cover draughty windows and doors with draught excluders to stop heat escaping – you could use a rolled up towel or a pair of tights stuffed with spare socks.
8.Dress warmly even in doors – put on another layer of clothing; an extra blanket on your bed; wear warm pyjamas and bed socks – you could then be warm enough so you don't need the heating on as high/at all in your bedroom overnight.
9.Don't leave appliances on standby - turn all lights and appliances off when you are not using them to help keep your electricity bills down.
10.Complete a free home energy check online. By answering some simple questions about your home you'll receive a free and impartial report on how best to keep warm this winter while saving on household energy bills.
Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said "It's bitterly cold outside so it's important that people know there is practical help and advice at hand.
"The Scottish Government's Home Energy Hotline is a fantastic one stop shop for home energy advice and there's an army of expert energy doctors on hand to give households the latest on how to winter-proof homes and save money on winter fuel bills.
"I'd urge households to get in touch as there is help available for everyone, and a great deal of support standing ready for anyone struggling with fuel bills."
To find out about the offers or discounts available call the Home Energy Hotline today. It's free to call from a landline on 0800 512 012 or on 0300 456 2655 from a mobile (charged at your local network rate), or visit www.homeenergyscotland.org.uk.
This article appeared in Cumnock Chronicle 07 Dec 10
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