Winter Toolkit

Draught proof your home

Unwanted gaps around doors, windows and floors let cold air in and warm air out. Simple draught proofing could save you around £25 a year. Depending on your situation we may be able to assist you under the DG H.E.A.T project if you meet the requirements.

Place a draught excluder at the bottom of external doors
Close curtains and blinds at dusk to trap warmth inside
Hang thermal door curtains on front and back doors
Stick reflective radiator foil behind radiators to bounce heat back into the room

Insulate where you can

Good insulation makes a big difference to how warm your home feels and how much you spend heating it.

Installing 270mm of loft insulation can save up to £225 a year on energy bills.
Hot water tank jacket pays for itself within a year.
Lagging your pipes keeps hot water hotter for longer and protects against freezing in cold snaps.

Windows and doors

Use window film or heavy duty plastic sheeting on draughty windows in winter
Install tight fitting, insulating curtains or thermal blinds
Check door seals and replace worn weatherstripping

Use your heating controls wisely

Set your thermostat to between 18°C and 21°C the range recommended by the World Health Organisation
Turn your thermostat down by just 1°C you may not notice the difference in comfort but you will notice it on your bill
Use a programmable or smart thermostat to heat your home only when you need it
Adjust thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to turn down heat in rooms you are not using

Heat the room you are in

If you spend most of your day in one room it makes sense to focus your heating there rather than warming the whole house.

Close doors to unused rooms
Close off radiators in rooms not used
Make sure furniture is not blocking radiators, move sofas and chairs away from heat sources

Bleed your radiators

Trapped air in radiators stops them heating properly. Check for cold spots at the top of radiators as a sign that bleeding is needed.

Layer up

The most cost effective way to stay warm is to wear more layers it costs nothing and works immediately.

Wear thermal base layers and a warm fleece or wool jumper indoors
Put on warm socks and slippers cold feet make you feel much colder overall
Use fingerless gloves if you are working at a desk

Use a hot water bottle

A hot water bottle is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to stay warm. Use it to warm your bed before you get in or keep it on your lap while sitting on the sofa.

Keep moving

Sitting still for long periods makes you feel colder so getting up regularly to move around the house or going for a short walk, boosts your circulation and helps you stay warm naturally.

Eat and drink warm food and drinks

Hot meals and warm drinks throughout the day help maintain your body temperature. Soups, stews, porridge and hot drinks are all warming. Avoid alcohol it may feel warming at first but actually causes your body to lose heat.

Cut Your Energy Bills

Check your energy tariff

Making sure you are on the right energy deal can make a significant difference to your bills.

Ask your energy supplier what the cheapest suitable tariff is for your usage they are required to tell you, this information may also be on your bill
Use a comparison website to check whether switching supplier could save you money
Don’t just look at the direct debit values – check the cost per unit and don’t forget to check exit fees
Understand the difference between fixed rate and variable rate tariffs before switching

Small changes that add up

Turn off appliances on standby they quietly drain energy all day and night
Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle
Wash clothes at 30°C modern detergents work just as well at lower temperatures
Switch to LED bulbs if you have not already done so
After using the oven leave the door slightly open to let residual heat warm the kitchen

What to do in the case of a power cut

Immediate Actions

Check if the outage is local or widespread: Look outside for streetlights, traffic signals, or neighbours’ lights. If only your home is affected, the issue may be your fuse box; if the whole street is dark, it’s likely a network fault
If you are on the Priority Services Register, your supplier should contact you to keep you informed
Report the power cut: Call 105 from a landline or mobile to reach your local distribution network operator (DNO) in the UK. This is free and available 24/7. If you see a downed wire or sparking equipment, call 999 and stay at least 25 meters away
Switch off electrical appliances: Turn off devices that aren’t designed to be used unattended, such as cookers, grills, hair straighteners, and electric fires, to prevent damage when power returns
Leave a light on: Keep one light switched on so you know when power is restored
Minimize opening fridges and freezers: This helps maintain the temperature and prevents food spoilage

Safety and Comfort

Use torches instead of candles to reduce fire risk
Keep mobile phones charged and have a battery-powered radio for updates.
If someone in your household is medically dependent on electricity, ensure you have backup power or alternative arrangements, and consider signing up for the Priority Services Register for extra support

Preparation Tips

Keep a torch, spare batteries, and essential supplies ready.
Have non-perishable food and bottled water available.
Know the contact details of your DNO and keep them accessible.
Consider a generator or battery backup if power cuts are frequent or prolonged.

Help and Support Available

Warmer Homes Scotland

If you are struggling to heat your home, you may be eligible for the Warmer Homes Scotland programme, funded by the Scottish Government. This can provide grants for insulation, heating improvements, and other energy-saving measures at no cost to you.

Warmer Homes Scotland scheme – mygov.scot

Grants and loans for home improvements

The Scottish Government offers grants and loans to help with energy-saving home improvements such as insulation, draught-proofing, and heating upgrades. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and the type of improvement.

Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve a home – GOV.UK

Free impartial advice

Home Energy Scotland offers free, expert advice by phone, email, or WhatsApp. Their advisers can help you understand your options, find out what funding you may be eligible for and take a personalised Home Energy Check. Call Home Energy Scotland free on 0808 808 2282 — Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm. All advice is free, impartial, and confidential. They never cold call.