Get prepared for Winter early

The warmer, drier weather means it is easier to carry out maintenance that can improve your home’s efficiency. If you rent, consider reporting any maintenance issues to your landlord early to give them enough time to do the necessary repairs. 

You could: 

• Clear debris from gutters to prevent leaks. 
• Fix cracked rendering and brickwork on external walls. 
• Fix faulty seals on doors, windows and skirting boards. 
• Check that your vents and extractor fans are working properly. 
• Book your boiler service during the summer. The wait times are often shorter, and you'll have more time to budget for any repairs that might be needed. 

As we spend more time outside and rely less on heating, our energy usage is generally lower in the summer. Because of this, the summer can be a great time to put money aside for the colder months. 

Here are a few ways you could prepare: 

• Consider a fixed tariff. Standard variable tariffs are expected to rise by 13.5% in July 2026. You may be able to find a fixed deal that offers greater certainty over your future energy costs. 
• Consider purchasing items such as dehumidifiers and heated throws during the summer. The prices are often lower when there is less demand. 
• If you're able to, reducing your energy use during the summer could help you build up additional credit on your account. 
• If you are on pay-as-you-go and have room in your budget, topping up a little extra during the summer could help create a buffer for winter. 
• Consider lowering your boiler's hot water temperature if it's set higher than necessary. This can reduce gas usage while still providing comfortable hot water. Test how low you can set it for your needs, setting a reminder to turn it up as the weather gets cooler. 

Summer can also be a good time to build habits that make managing your energy easier during the colder months. Small changes made now can be easier to stick to when your heating starts working harder in winter. 

You could: 

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  Familiarise yourself with your heating controls and timer settings. Understanding how they work can help you heat your home more efficiently when temperatures drop. 

• Start taking regular meter readings or monitoring your energy usage online. This can help you spot unusual changes and understand your typical consumption. 
• Identify the rooms in your home that feel colder or draughtier than others. This gives you time to plan simple improvements before winter. 
• Try building energy-saving habits now, such as turning appliances off at the plug when not in use or only heating the rooms you are using. 

Some of these ideas may take more time or planning than others. However, even small changes made during the summer could make winter a little more comfortable and manageable. Give them a go and let us know what differences you notice. 

Get in touch with our team if you'd like more advice on preparing your home for winter.