Global warming is causing colder winters with more extreme weather. To prepare homes for winter, some tips include covering windows to prevent drafts, adjusting thermostats to save energy when away, maintaining boilers for efficiency, cleaning gutters to prevent freezing, inspecting roofs for damage, adding insulation, closing unused vents, and using draft excluders on drafty doors. Comparing energy providers can also help reduce utility bills.

2. Cold Weather = Cold Home The rise in global warming has seen our climate alter, giving us warmer summers and colder winters. The rapid rise in Arctic temperatures is linked to extreme weather conditions. The major consequences of global warming include drought, severe hurricanes, sweeping forest fires and melting polar ice caps. With another hot summer just passed, we may very well experience an icy cold winter this coming year with heavy snow fall.

3. How to Prepare for Winter Here are some helpful tips to get you prepared for the cold months ahead.
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4. 1. Cover Drafty Windows In order to prevent a draft coming through your window, tape a clear plastic sheet to the inside and seal it tightly to the frame. Install drapes or heavy upholstered curtains to your windows to reduce any cold coming in.

5. 2. Adjust the Temperature When you’re at home, set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature. When you’re out of your home, change the thermostat down to 10-15 degrees. Install a Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat so you can easily control when to activate your heating. This makes it easier to control your heating as you can put your heating on before you come home.

6. 3. Keep Your Boiler at its Best A poorly maintained boiler can waste a lot of energy, as will a very old boiler, so consider getting a new boiler installed in your home. The savings over time make it an economical choice and you can employ the services of a trusted local supplier by searching in your area e.g. “boiler installation in Kent” or “boiler installation Surrey” and get yourself a quote. The efficiency of a new boiler will save you money on your heating bills for years to come.

7. 4. Inspect & Clean Gutters Clean out any gutters and drain pipes to your house. This will make sure there is no flooding outside your home and will prevent any gutters from freezing when temperatures drop.

8. 5. Inspect Your Roof If you find any broken tiles on your roof, you should get them replaced ASAP. Inspect your roof for any other damage that could let the elements in.

9. 6. Clean the Fireplace/Chimney Clear out ash and charred wood from your fireplace. Get a professional chimney sweeper to clean out your chimney breast and check the damper to ensure no drafts come down your chimney.
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10. 7. Check Your Insulation Have a quick look in your loft to see if there are any bare spots that are not covered by insulation. Heat rises, so the roof is where you are most likely lose heat from your house.

11. 8. Close Off Vents Close off all vents and turn off heating in any rooms that are not in use. Only when you use a room should you keep the heating on. Block up any open vents to prevent heat-loss.

12. 9. Use Draft Excluders Should you find a particular door in your home lets in a draft, you should try to prevent it by using draft excluders. These are especially useful for main entrance doors.
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13. 10. Switch Your Utility Supplier Energy bills are notoriously expensive but you can often reduce your bills by switching your providers. Use cash-back sites such as Quidco to help save you money when signing up to new energy companies. Compare energy providers online through comparison sites like uSwitch.

14. Follow Me For more hints and tips on saving energy this winter, follow me on Twitter.
@JeffNevil