Winter wellness: keeping homes warm

Keeping your home warm during the winter months is important as it will help you to stay healthy and prevent illnesses like colds and flu.

Here are some top tips:

Draught-proof your windows and doors

When you’re trying to keep your house warm, the last thing you’ll want is for heat to escape and for cold air to get in. Check around your doors and windows for draughts to see if you feel cold air seeping in.

If there’s a gap between a window and the frame you can fill it with self-adhesive foam strips. Fitting a keyhole cover on your front door may stop more draughts from getting in. 

Dealing with condensation

Condensation is when water vapour turns into liquid. It happens when water vapour cools and turns into liquid water. Water vapour can be found on the outside of cold glasses and the warm side of windows.

Placeshapers has a top tip on what to do if you have condensation in your home. If you spot condensation on a surface, wipe it down with a dry, clean cloth or towel. Placeshapers is a national network of housing associations committed to supporting thriving communities and places.

Checking radiators

Boiler: Ask your support worker or a family member to help you check your heating to make sure that it is at the right setting and working properly. If you have a combi-boiler, check that it’s set for hot water and heating.

Heat pump: If the heat pump has stopped working, it will no longer heat the water needed to keep radiators warm. If it is making noise, it should still be working.