Get ready for winter

• Use your heating controls to help keep your home comfortably warm.
• Keep radiators clear of furniture and curtains so heat can circulate.
• Close curtains at dusk and reduce draughts where it’s safe and practical.
• If your heating or hot water stops working, contact Tai Calon for help.

If you’re struggling to afford to heat your home, please don’t suffer in silence. Explore the support available through our cost-of-living advice and the Welsh Government’s Nest scheme.

Cold weather can make it tempting to keep every window closed. However, everyday activities such as cooking, showering and drying clothes create moisture that can build up inside your home.

• Use extractor fans when cooking or bathing.
• Keep trickle vents clear and use them as intended.
• Ventilate rooms after activities that create steam.
• Allow air to circulate around furniture and avoid blocking ventilation.

Good ventilation, alongside effective heating, can help reduce condensation and the risk of mould. Learn more about keeping your home healthy here.

Wipe away condensation when it appears and keep an eye out for damp patches, mould growth or signs of water leaking into your home.

If you notice a persistent problem, report it to Tai Calon as soon as possible. We want to understand what’s causing it and work with you to resolve it.

Visit our Healthy Homes page for more advice on heating, ventilation, air quality and keeping your home healthy. Learn more about keeping your home healthy here.

• Know where your internal stop tap is and how to turn off your water supply.
• Check that exposed pipes and water tanks are properly insulated.
• If a pipe freezes or bursts, follow the appropriate safety advice and contact Tai Calon for help.
• Never use a naked flame to thaw a frozen pipe

In this video from British Gas, you can learn how to safely defrost any external pipes that are frozen:

• Test your smoke alarms regularly and check that your carbon monoxide alarm is working.
• Keep portable heaters away from curtains, furniture and other combustible materials.
• Never use a portable heater to dry clothes.
• Follow official weather warnings and prepare for possible power cuts or flooding.

Read our home safety guidance for more advice: here

If you’re worried about paying your energy bills or keeping your home warm, support may be available.

Explore the latest information about energy-saving improvements, financial support and eligibility through our cost-of-living advice and the Welsh Government’s Nest scheme.