When the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, the evenings start drawing in fast. Across the South West, that usually means wind, rain and a lot more time spent indoors. It’s the week most of us start leaning on our heating every day, and it’s the perfect time to get your home ready for winter.

Homes in the South West face a few challenges that homes in other parts of the country often don’t. Many are off the gas grid, plenty are older stone properties, and coastal weather brings its own mix of damp, wind and salty air. Add in the number of holiday lets and second homes that sit empty over the quieter months, and there’s a lot to think about before winter.

The good news is that a little preparation now goes a long way. Here’s how to get your home ready for winter before the weather turns.

Off the gas grid? Check your fuel now

A lot of homes across Cornwall, Devon and the wider South West run on oil or LPG rather than mains gas. If yours does, check your tank level this week.

Demand for deliveries goes up as soon as the weather turns colder, so ordering before you’re running low saves a last-minute scramble. Running an oil tank too low can also cause problems of its own, as any sludge at the bottom of the tank can be drawn into the system. Keeping a healthy level through winter is the safest bet.

While you’re checking, clear any plants, leaves or clutter from around the tank and the boiler flue. Good access matters for deliveries, and a clear flue helps your boiler run safely.

Get your holiday home ready for winter

If you own a holiday let or second home that sits empty over winter, it’s tempting to switch the heating off completely. We’d recommend against it. Keeping the heating on a low, frost-protection setting helps stop pipes freezing and keeps damp at bay, protecting both the property and everything inside it.

A few other simple steps can help get your holiday home ready for winter:

• Book a boiler service before the winter season, so you’re far less likely to get a call about a breakdown when you’re miles away
• Leave internal doors open so warm air can move around the property
• Ask a neighbour or property manager to check in now and again, especially after a cold snap
• Make sure guests arriving later in the season know how to use the heating controls

Keep on top of condensation and damp

Coastal air and long spells of wet weather can make condensation a real problem, especially in older stone cottages with solid walls. When warm, moist air inside your home meets a cold wall or window, it turns to water. Over time, that can lead to damp patches and mould.

Keeping your home at a steady, gentle temperature, rather than blasting the heating on and off, helps keep walls and windows warmer and reduces condensation. Open a window briefly after cooking or showering to let moisture out, use extractor fans where you have them, and try not to dry washing on radiators if you can avoid it.

Protect outside pipes

Exposed pipes, outside taps and boiler condensate pipes can freeze when the temperature drops. A frozen condensate pipe is one of the most common causes of winter boiler breakdowns, and it often happens on the coldest morning of the year.

Lagging outside pipes with foam pipe insulation is cheap, quick and one of the simplest ways to get your home ready for winter. It’s also worth turning off and draining outside taps if you won’t be using them over winter.

Reset your timer

If your heating timer doesn’t update automatically, it’ll be an hour out after Sunday. Take a moment to reset it and make sure your heating comes on when you actually need it. Now is also a good time to review your schedule, as your heating needs often change once the darker evenings arrive.

Test your carbon monoxide alarm

With your boiler working harder over the coming months, make sure your carbon monoxide alarm is in good working order. Press the test button, and replace the alarm if it’s more than seven years old or doesn’t respond. This is especially important for homes with oil, LPG or solid fuel appliances.

Know the warning signs

Boilers usually give you a clue when something isn’t quite right. Banging or gurgling noises, radiators that take ages to warm up, a pressure gauge that keeps dropping, or a strong smell of oil near the boiler are all worth getting checked.

Book a service to get your home ready for winter

An annual service keeps your boiler safe, efficient and reliable through the colder months. Our Gas Safe and OFTEC registered engineers service gas, oil and LPG boilers across the South West, so whatever heats your home, we can help. We’ll give your system a thorough check, explain anything we find in plain English and let you know your options.

Booking in autumn, before the first proper cold snap, means your boiler gets checked while the weather is still mild, and any small issues can be sorted before you really need your heating.

Peace of mind once your home is ready for winter

Our Care Plans start from £12.50 a month and include repairs covered up to £500. They’re ideal for homeowners and holiday let owners alike. One of our engineers will visit to check your system before your cover begins, so you can relax knowing you’re looked after.

Get your home ready for winter. Call our friendly South West team on 0330 383 0000.