There’s still plenty of winter to come yet – are you ready for a big freeze? Wrap up and insulate … it’s time to get ready for winter!

With weather forecasters predicting temperatures in some parts of the UK as low as –14 degrees C, returning to the haven of a snug warm home will be on the minds of many as they go about their daily lives, says Which? who have published a book offering tips and advice for ensuring households don’t fall foul of the impending bad weather.

Some tips from the book are:

• Putting foil behind radiators on external and internal walls reflects heat back into rooms.
• Fitting shelves above radiators sounds odd, however it deflects heat back into rooms.
• Bleed radiators regularly. Trapped air prevents the hot water circulating properly and reduces efficiency.
• Fill gaps between skirting boards and the floor to stop drafts. Homes with exposed floors should consider filing the gaps between the boards for the same reason.
• Draught proof areas where heat escapes, e.g. around window frames and doors.
• Ensure lofts are properly insulated: around 25% of heat is lost through the roof. Lofts already insulated should be checked and topped up to the recommended thickness of 250mm (10in).
• Reduce heat loss by drawing curtains at dusk (the thicker the better).
• Close windows when the heating is on. Move furniture away from radiators to allow heat to circulate efficiently.

As well as suggesting immediate heat-saving measures, the book advises on longer-term improvements and on energy-efficiency in household appliances, such as saving water, conservation in the garden and recycling. It also covers renewable sources of energy such as wind, wave and solar power, and gives details of ‘green’ electricity schemes and the use of alternative technologies in the home.

Don’t get left out in the cold this winter. The Which? Guide to the Energy-Saving Home can be ordered on Freephone 0800 252 100 (£10.99, p&p; free) or at www.which.net or bought from bookshops.