Winter-ready: intro
The way we use our homes can change during colder weather:
This page contains our hints and tips on dealing with the effects of the changing weather, including:
- getting the best from your boiler,
- checking you've correctly adjusted your heating (thermostats and/or radiators),
- the causes of damp, condensation, and mould and how to prevent/clean it (separate page),
- how you and your loved ones can stay warm and healthy during colder weather,
- and more.
Heating your home:
We generally fit combi boilers which are designed to work all year round. This means that although your boiler is used more through the winter period- it won’t affect its performance.
To help keep costs down, make sure you set the temperature on your thermostat to one that’s comfortable for you. The advised lowest temperature is 18 degrees. You don’t need to turn your thermostat up on colder days, your home will heat to that temperature regardless, it just may take a little longer.
Some thermostats are mains powered, while others are battery powered. It’s important to check your thermostat display is working properly.
For instance, if your heating isn’t working but your hot water is, it could be that your thermostat is set too low.
It’s a good idea to use the timer on your thermostat if you have one. You can set a time for your heating to come on and go off each day. That way, you’ll only have the heating on when your home is at its coldest, such as in the morning and during the evening.
Remember: if you’re not sure, please get in touch.
What do they look like?
The controls for wired and battery-powered room thermostats can look different, but here are some general examples of both:
Wired room thermostats:
Battery-powered room thermostats:
Most radiators are fitted with TRVs (Thermostatic Radiator Valves) which allow you to turn the radiator up or down.
Some spaces such as your kitchen may not need to be heated as much as other rooms. For example, a kitchen radiator might feel warm set at ‘number 2’, but your living room radiator may need to be set at ‘number 3’. By heating the rooms that need it most, you’ll reduce your energy use and save on your fuel bills.
What do they look like?
The controls for Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) can look different, but here are some general examples:
Remember: if you’re not sure, please get in touch.
Managing condensation and cleaning mould:
We're committed to providing safe and healthy living conditions for our tenants.
Damp, condensation, and mould can affect quality of life and could cause serious health problems- which is why it's important to know some of the common causes/signs of issues and how to resolve them.
There are many things you (as our tenant) and we (as your landlord) can do to tackle issues related to damp, condensation, and mould.