Your Savvy Winter Home Check & Prep Guide

The Savvy House Team • November 24, 2025

Winter brings colder days, cosier nights — and a few extra things to keep an eye on around the home. 

A little preparation now can make your winter easier, warmer and more efficient.


Here’s an easy checklist to help you feel ready without any fuss.


1. Know where your stop tap is:


It’s useful to know where your stop tap (or stop cock) is located — just in case you ever need to turn the water off quickly.

  • Find it now, so you’re not searching later
  • Make sure it turns properly
  • Let others in the home know where it is too


2. Add simple insulation where you can


Pipes in colder spots like lofts, garages and outdoor areas can benefit from a bit of protection.

  • Use inexpensive pipe lagging from a DIY store
  • Pop an insulated cover on your outdoor tap
  • Insulating hot water pipes can help reduce heat loss


If you’re renting, your landlord can help with insulation checks too.


3. Give your heating system a quick once-over


A quick check now keeps everything running smoothly when the cold weather hits.

  • If your boiler hasn’t been serviced in a while, it might be worth booking one
  • Bleed radiators that feel warm at the bottom but cool at the top
  • Check boiler pressure and top up if needed
  • If your boiler has a frost setting, make sure it’s switched on


4. Keep your home cosy and energy-smart


A few simple habits can make your home feel warmer and help keep bills steady.

  • Close curtains at dusk
  • Use draft excluders on doors
  • Check loft insulation if you have access
  • Use thermostat timers to warm the home when you need it most


5. Heading away this winter?


If you’re not home for a few days or weeks, a tiny bit of planning gives peace of mind.

  • Keep the heating on a low or frost setting
  • Make sure pipes and tanks in colder areas are insulated
  • Ask someone nearby to check the home if you’re away for longer periods


6. Useful extra tips


Small actions that make a big difference over winter:

  • Disconnect garden hoses
  • Keep gutters and outdoor drains clear
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
  • Keep plumber/handyman contact details somewhere handy


A little preparation goes a long way


These steps are simple, low-stress and designed to make your winter more comfortable — without worry or big costs.


If you’d like help checking your energy, broadband or mobile to make sure you’re not overpaying this winter, our team can review that quickly and for free.


Click Here For Your Review

By Emma Elston MBE November 19, 2025
Are we all just creatures of habit… or something more?
By Emma Elston MBE October 17, 2025
The weather’s turning colder, and most of us know what that means - higher heating bills. 
By Emma Elston MBE August 28, 2025
The Bank of England has cut interest rates. But what does that actually mean for most of us? I n simple terms: Mortgage and loan payments might come down a little. Credit cards could be slightly easier to pay off. Savings in the bank will likely grow more slowly. Good news if you’re borrowing, not so great if you’re saving. But here’s the reality - An interest rate cut doesn’t reduce the cost of living. Energy, broadband, mobiles, and insurance bills don’t get cheaper just because the Bank of England changes rates. And that’s where the biggest savings are often hiding. At Miss Money Savvy, we offer a free, no-obligation review of your household bills to see where you could save. 9 out of 10 people save when we carry out a review. The average saving is around £70 a month (figures as of 20th August 2025). While interest rates go up and down, the one thing you can control is making sure you’re not overpaying on your everyday bills. What’s Behind Miss Money Savvy? We started Miss Money Savvy with one simple belief: people deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money. Too often, households end up paying more than they need to for everyday bills without realising it. Our job is to shine a light on where savings can be made, in a way that’s clear, friendly, and pressure-free. If we can help you cut your bills, brilliant. If not, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re already on a good deal. Because at the end of the day, it’s about making life a little easier and helping you feel more in control of your money. Book your free, no-obligation Household Bills Review today Free Review - Household Bills or call 0161 505 0979 and one of our team will be able to help.
A pink piggy bank next to two blocks. One block has a light bulb and the other has a water drop.
By Emma Elston MBE April 24, 2025
Some people think I’ve “moved over to the dark side” by switching to a smart meter, but with energy prices escalating, it’s actually been a game-changer for me. With a full house, it’s easy for others to overlook the costs of gas and electricity, but the smart meter helps me keep track of our household spend. It’s given me peace of mind, knowing I’m neither over nor under-paying. In these times of rising costs, it’s comforting to have that control over our energy usage.  That said, smart meters come with their own set of pros and cons. So, are they truly a benefit or a hindrance?
A woman is sitting at a table using a calculator trying to ease her financial worries and regain control.
By Emma Elston MBE March 16, 2025
As we juggle life, work, family, and all the other challenges that come with the current economic climate, it’s important to remember that we’re not alone.
Wilmslow Girls FC sponsored by Miss Money Savvy
By Miss Money Savvy March 1, 2025
Here at Miss Money Savvy we are commited to giving back to the local community.
How Online Shopping Boosts Mood and Can Create Addiction
By Emma Elston MBE February 16, 2025
In today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever to open an app on your phone, scroll through social media, or browse an online shop and order something you’ve seen on TV or recommended by a friend. It takes just a few taps, and before you know it, a purchase is made—sometimes on impulse—without much thought. Then, the waiting begins.