Autumn is the season of change, and as far as the weather is concerned, certainly not for the better. As the nights draw in and temperatures fall, we can prepare ourselves for several months of inclement weather ahead - more rain, higher winds, sharp frosts and potentially heavy snowfall. 

Occasionally, the worst of the winter weather is bad enough to pose the threat of damage to our homes, as well as widespread disruption to the wider communities we live in. Storms can bring winds high enough to bring down trees and power lines, or do damage to the roofs of our homes. Sustained heavy rain can lead to flooding, causing extensive damage to homes and business properties.

The combination of heavy snow and plummeting temperatures, meanwhile, brings a variety of risk factors, such as knocking out power and heating supplies, confining us in our homes, causing water pipes to burst when a freeze is severe enough, and also sparking flooding when the big melt commences.

Autumn is therefore the time when we should be thinking ahead and asking what we would do if the worst came to the worst.

Minimise impact

Government advice on preparing for winter emergencies largely centres on having contingency plans in place should our homes become uninhabitable. The main focus of this is flooding, as this is probably the most common reason why people are forced to evacuate their homes. But it could be anything from your hot water and central heating packing in during a severe cold snap to your home suffering heavy structural damage during a storm.

The main thing is to have a plan for where you would go in an emergency. Especially if you have young children or elderly relatives living with you, the priority is to get everyone safe. Having friends or family you have discussed this with in advance means this essential first step can happen as quickly as possible.

If things are going to get so bad you have to leave your home, there is probably not much you can do to stop it. However, there are steps you can take to minimise impact, or to prevent problems escalating unnecessarily. For example, apart from flooding, the classic winter home emergency is your boiler packing in.

It doesn’t have to reach sub-Arctic temperatures for your home to quickly become unbearably cold without central heating. And it doesn’t take much for an under-serviced boiler to stop working. Take the opportunity to get it checked out and remedy faults before they turn into a major issue.

Similarly, give your home a maintenance once over and make sure everything is in reasonably good order. If you know of any little snags that need looking at, don’t leave them. If you know there is a small leak in the roof somewhere, don’t wait for it to become a torrent when the rain gets heavy and persistent enough. It is also a good idea to clean out your guttering, especially to remove autumn leaves, as this will mean water moves from your roof more freely and reduces the likelihood of damage.

Finally, make sure you have up to date insurance policies that cover all bases. The only thing that can make a home emergency worse is to realise that your insurance hadn’t been renewed and you will now have to foot a huge repair bill on top of all the stress.

At Row.co.uk, we offer bespoke policies for every emergency, from boiler breakdown to gas and electricity supply outages, damaged roofs and windows to burst pipes and leaks. Our policies are there to cover you for fast, efficient repairs, paid for in advance, to take some of the weight of worry off your shoulders in an emergency situation and keep you in your homes whenever possible. Click here to get an instant custom quote. 

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that the average UK home wastes £30 by leaving electrical items on standby, rather than switching them off at the plug. Newer household items such as broadband routers and modems also use low levels of electricity when they’re not being used, despite being designed to conserve as much energy as possible. A broadband router can cost the consumer around £8 of electricity annually.

Read on to discover which house appliances use the most and least energy and how to choose new electrical items wisely.

What should I think about when buying new appliances?

European Energy labels are required by law and rate products on their energy efficiency, with A as most efficient and G, the least. Appliances are graded on energy consumption in kWh (units of electricity per hour) so you should choose an appliance with the lowest kWh used, as this is the most energy-efficient.

The labels must be displayed on items such as tumble dryers, dishwashers and electric ovens.

Fridges and freezers have additional A+, A++ and A+++ energy ratings.

Which appliances use the most energy?

Whilst small appliances such as kettles and toasters make life more comfortable, they can rack up your electricity bill when you consider how many times they are used in a day.

Based on the UK average electricity tariff for September 2016, the most expensive standard size electrical item to run for a year is a tumble dryer. A 7kg drum can cost £45 to run annually, closely followed by a 14-place dishwasher at around £43. The next most expensive appliances are a washing machine (£39), fridge freezer (£37) and kettle (£31).

Which appliances use the least energy?

20L Microwave ovens and games consoles are among the cheapest appliances to run, both costing £5 or less per year. A standard 2-slice toaster would cost £2.52 to run annually, while a Sony PlayStation would only set you back £1.37.

Electric toothbrushes, children’s night lights, desktop PCs, inkjet printers and mobile phone chargers all cost under £5 to power over a year.

Gas ovens typically cost much less than electric cookers with or without hobs.

How can I monitor what I spend?

Gas and electricity suppliers are responsible for providing and fitting smart meters for everyone in Britain by 2020. Customers will be able to see what they are spending on electricity as they use it, resulting in less consumption. Meter readings are sent automatically to the energy companies.

 

As well as saving you money by cutting your electricity bill, becoming more energy efficient will also mean fewer fossil fuels are burnt and carbon emissions are decreased, which are linked to climate change.

Always remember to turn things off when you are not using them. As you can see, if electrical items are not turned off at the wall, they still consume power.

Appliances that draw a large amount of current for an extended period of time such as heaters and dryers have a high probability of fire being caused by a hot connection or an overloaded circuit, so ensure you have cover for your kitchen appliances. For more help choosing the right insurance for your appliances, contact our experts on 0844 318 6870.

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.