Ready or not: new research finds half of the nation feel unprepared for the winter months

 

●     New research finds that Brits feel winter officially starts on the 23rd October, a month from now

●     But while the majority (61%) admit they spend weeks getting ‘summer ready’, winter catches over half (52%) of us off guard.

●     A third (32%) feel they end up preparing for winter when it has already arrived and don’t check on the maintenance of radiators (37%), boilers (31%) and draught proofing (23%) until they need to be used. This can lead to costly last-minute repairs averaging £392 for boilers and £330 for radiators

●     But small steps can help Brits get winter-ready, like getting a smart meter installed, adding draught proofing and booking a boiler service

●     To help Brits get set for the winter season, Smart Energy GB has released a new Winter Prep Checklist, created in partnership with National Energy Action and ‘Sort Your Life Out’s’ professional organiser,Dilly Carter

 

Despite being a nation fixated on the weather, it seems we fall behind when it comes to getting prepped for the colder months, with over half (52%) of Brits admitting they feel ‘caught off guard’ when winter weather arrives.

With summer lasting longer and the potential for warmer spells in the coming weeks, new research from Smart Energy GB reveals that Brits say it starts to feel like winter on the 23rd October and one in five think that winter ‘starts later every year’ (20%).

Yet despite colder weather spanning half of the year, it seems we don’t give the  chilly months the same attention as the warmer ones, with 40% spending at least a month preparing for the summer - whether that’s buying new plants for the garden (36%), putting a lower tog duvet on the bed (35%) or getting a fan out of storage (33%). 

In contrast, 32% feel they end up preparing for winter when it has already arrived, and don’t check on the maintenance of equipment like radiators (37%), boilers (31%) and draught proofing (23%) until they need to be used - potentially leading to costly emergency or last-minute repairs as a result. The 52% of people who didn’t get their boiler serviced and later found it wasn’t working were often faced with steep repair bills averaging £392.

Despite a third (32%) wanting to do more to prep for winter in advance, a fifth of people don’t know what checks they need to do. Millennials are the generation most likely to forget that they need to do anything to prepare their homes for winter until it’s already cold, while Gen Z are the busiest summer socialites, with over a third (35%) saying they’re too busy over the summer to think about colder weather in advance.

This leaves many feeling like they’re lacking control when the colder months hit, with rising household bills contributing to this for two thirds (66%) of people.

We're also big on trying to delay the arrival of winter through sheer denial. Two-fifths of Brits avoid thinking about the approaching colder weather altogether so it doesn’t spoil their summer. And a whopping 91% of us will try to delay putting the heating on for the first time by doing things like putting on another layer (66%), getting a blanket (55%) or making a hot drink (44%).

But while we might need a reminder that the winter months are approaching, there are small steps that can be taken to help regain a sense of control, like booking a boiler service over the summer (35%) and bleeding radiators regularly (32%).

While these simple actions will help get households equipped for winter, the majority (57%) of people who have a smart meter installed believe they experience more benefits than those who haven’t as the weather turns cold.

The smart meter’s display has helped a third (33%) of households manage their energy use, with 39% saying they feel more in control of household bills as a result. 

Smart meters are installed at no extra cost by your energy supplier and owners who say it has helped them save money estimate it has lowered their energy costs by £176 per year on average. They also allow households to make the most of energy reward schemes, which encourage and reward customers for using energy at different times of the day.

To help the nation get prepped for winter, Smart Energy GB today launches the ‘Winter Prep Checklist’ created in partnership with National Energy Action and ‘Sort Your Life Out’s’ professional organiser, Dilly Carter.

Encouraging households to start now to make winter less of a burden on budgets, here are the smart, budget-friendly actions you can take:

 

●      4-5 weeks before winter: Check your boiler - turn it on and take note of any warning codes or funny noises. Make sure you get it serviced by a professional once a year to ensure it’ll run efficiently throughout winter. This could save you from spending extra on emergency call-outs or last-minute repairs.

●      4 weeks before winter: Think about lowering your boiler’s flow temperature - this helps make your boiler run more efficiently but keeps your water hot when needed. Find out how HERE.

●      3 weeks before winter: Check the settings on your heating and hot water timer. You can programme it to turn off while you are out or asleep and set it to come on just before you return home or wake up, keeping the temperature comfortable.

●      2 weeks before winter: You may need to bleed your radiators every few months. Bleed them now and check they’re working effectively. Then in the winter, check them every few weeks when you're walking past. If the heating is on but the top of the radiator is cold, it's time to bleed them.

●      1 week before winter: Taking care of draughts before the temperatures drop means you'll stay warmer and save on heating costs once winter sets in. Draught excluders are a simple, low-cost way to stop the chill sneaking in through gaps around doors and windows. You can buy them from home or hardware shops, or you can make your own using rolled-up blankets, socks, or old jumpers.

●      During winter: Once the chilly nights are here, try to keep your home between 18 and 21 degrees. Don’t replace your central heating with electric heaters - it could cost you more.

Dilly Carter said “Taking action now can have a huge impact when the weather turns colder. A little prep can go a long way when it comes to getting your home ready for winter; putting a rug on cold floors, servicing your boiler, getting extra DIY draught proofing and checking your smart meter can help keep the chill out and the bills down. That means less hassle when winter arrives.”

Danni Barnes, Director of Development and Partnerships at National Energy Action, said “We know that for many, reducing costs is challenging, but as we approach winter, there may be small adjustments in how we use our energy that can mean more of what we use can be spent where we most need it. Smart meters allow you to better track energy usage, ensure accurate billing and, with more smart tariffs entering the market, you may be able to switch to a smart tariff that can save you money. If you are struggling with your energy bills, reach out to your supplier for support.”

 Victoria Bacon, Director at Smart Energy GB, said: “With only a few weeks to go until Brits feel like winter starts, now is the ideal time to start preparing your home. Planning ahead can help you later down the line, as servicing the boiler now, getting a smart meter installed, and participating in an energy reward scheme can all help to ensure energy usage across the winter months is as cost effective as possible. This could help you keep your bills down and avoid those last-minute maintenance costs.”

For more information on smart meters or energy reward schemes, search ‘Get a smart meter’.