Winter’s on its way, is your home prepared?

The clocks have gone back, the autumn leaves have now turned into nondescript pavement sludge, and hot chocolate has become your main source of hydration. In the words of Ned Stark, all this can only mean one thing – Winter is coming.

But the advent of Winter doesn’t just mean you have the perfect excuse to eat your entire bodyweight in chocolate – it also means it’s time for you to think about your home’s energy efficiency.

At Reddish we’ve come up with a handy checklist to make sure that your home is ready for the Winter season, so you can be sure that it provides you with excellent levels of energy efficiency to help save you money on your heating bills this season.

Does your home have energy efficient double glazing?

Windows are one of the main sources of energy loss in a home, and are often a constant bugbear to the energy-conscious homeowner. One of the easiest ways you can improve your home’s energy efficiency is by upgrading from old single glazed windows to more modern double glazing. Double glazing will greatly improve a home’s thermal retention by providing an extra layer of insulation and pocket of air between your glass panes – helping to keep the warm air inside, and the cold air outside.

Not all doors are created equal

We’d recommend checking your doors for their efficiency. A poorly fitted door with ageing seals can make your home quickly lose its heat, which is why our installers take great care when carrying out a fitting.

It’s also worth noting that there are some types of door which are more energy efficient than others. A composite door which is made with a thermally insulating core will be much more energy efficient than nearly all standard uPVC doors, for example.

Energy efficient timber

Contrary to popular belief, timber windows provide outstanding levels of energy efficiency when compared with uPVC frames. Timber is a naturally insulating material, and their high density construction means that they’ll provide both fantastic acoustic and thermal insulation. Reddish Joinery can also provide windows in the amazingly durable Accoya wood which has been proven to last up to 50 years, and fit them with absolute precision. Gone are the days of draughty and brittle timber window frames – high quality wooden windows are a fantastic way to make your home more energy efficient this Winter.

Find draughts and cover seals

But what if your home already has efficient double glazed windows and doors? Well, luckily for you there are a few more things you can do to secure your house against the cold.

• Cover any draughty windows with tightly fitting, insulating drapes to reduce heat loss
• Seal air leaks found around any pipes entering your home
• Chimneys and recessed lighting can also cause air leaks in your home, so make sure you seal these to increase energy efficiency
• Apply caulk or weatherstripping to seal any small gaps around your home’s windows and doors to stop draughts and leaks

Insulate your home this Winter with Reddish Joinery

Reddish Joinery are specialists when it comes to designing, manufacturing and installing highly energy efficient timber and uPVC home improvements. We’ve been transforming homes across Reddish and Greater Manchester for over 40 years – to find out more about how we can help make your home more energy efficient, call us on 0161 969 7474, or request a free quote