There are a lot of things in our homes that we simply take for granted. This could be the access to clean, fresh water, or even the fact that we have a stable roof over our heads. But one thing that nearly every household doesn’t ever appreciate until it’s gone is the heating system. Most homes have some kind of central heating system, and usually it is gas-powered by a furnace or boiler. This type of system only became widespread across the world in the 1960s, as prior to that many residential properties had to find other ways of heating their homes. But now, we are all used to having a reliable heating system available to us at the flick of a switch. So, what do we do when it fails us?

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Don’t panic

If your heating fails you at a particularly desperate time – such as in the middle of winter or when you are expecting guests to come round – it can be pretty annoying. When it happens, many of us tend to go into panic mode and take any measure we can to get it sorted as soon as possible. But before you do anything drastic, stop and think for a second. You may want to try your hand at fixing the issue yourself, but remember it is always better to wait for a professional to deal with it if there is any aspect of the system you are not sure of. Some things – such as re-pressurizing your boiler – are fairly straightforward, but for anything else, always call an expert.

Find a replacement

Just like any other household appliance, boilers have a shelf life. When you move into a new property (whether you are a renter or whether you have bought it) always ask to see a copy of the home’s gas certificates, as this will include all information about the current heating system. Typically, any boiler that is more than 20 years old probably isn’t going to be all that energy-efficient any longer. Therefore, you should consider replacing it with a newer model, and getting an engineer to fit it for you. You can find a whole range of different heaters to suit your needs online at Harsterheating.com/services/residential/heating-systems/, or on similar professional sites.

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Keep warm in the meantime

It may take a few days for your heating system to get fixed, or for a new one to be installed. During this time you may just have to put up with being cold – but there are things you can do to make this time a little bit easier for both you and your family. Bring down lots of blankets from bedrooms and any that are hiding in draws and all snuggle up on the couch together. Body heat is severely underrated when it comes to keeping yourself warm! If you can, get hold of an electric heater too to spread some warm air around until your system is back on. Not having any heating in your home can be a pain, but it doesn’t mean you need to suffer without it.

You may think that the winter season is never going to end, but there are only a few months to get ready for the summer, and this is without mentioning any bikini figure! You need to think about getting your house ready for the hot season, and this isn’t something that you can delay too much. It is important to start planning right now with this list of summer essentials for your to go through.

Make Sure You Have All You Need To Keep The House Fresh

It might seem odd to think about keeping cool when the weather is still cold outside, but now is the right time to check the state of your air conditioner system, fans, and your swimming pool. If you don’t have any air con, it is time to consider an A/C installation to prepare for summer. As you still have a handful of months left before the hot months arrive, it is good to get in touch with expert engineers to service your pool and keep your cooling systems up to date before the summer rush begins.

Look After Your Garden Now To Find Freshness In Summer

You’re sitting inside, looking through the window to see only cold, gray rain. Taking care of your garden might well be the last thing you want to do with your time. But it is essential to maintain your trees and plants throughout the cold months to help them be strong and healthy for when you will need their shadow and their freshness. While you don’t need to spend every week kneeling outside in the wet grass and the mud, a monthly list of maintenance tasks should include:

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• Mowing the lawn,
• Trimming the trees so that they can grow strong and high in summer,
• Pruning flowers and fruit trees to ensure a beautiful and vibrant garden,
• And protecting your precious plants from the frost and the rain.

Prepare For A Change Of Interior Décor

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Winter is naturally characterized by a change of décor inside your house: A warm blanket lies on the sofa to keep you warm in the evening; a series of tall mugs is piled up in the sink for a hot cup of tea; and every room has received a touch of warmth with scented candles and fluffy cushions. Everything is there to provide a cozy sensation. But soon the time for bbq parties and summer drinks will come: You need to rethink your décor to bring back a sense of sunny freshness inside your home. There are many options to do so on a budget: You can choose to hide all reminders of the winter months away, such as blankets, heating units, and candles, or you can decide to bring touches of bright colors inside the house with picture frames, funky cushions, and decorative plant pots. Just remember to check every room to make note of the wintery elements to store away during summer. And why not already plan your first bbq party of the warm season? Maybe you could celebrate the arrival of spring around a grilled burger with friends, so if you start now, you could prepare your DIY décor.        

What three words would you use to describe winter?

A safe bet is that one of them would be “cold.” It’s simple, and it’s accurate. The others will depend on where you live. Some people will say “wet”; others will say “snowy.” Many will say “beautiful” – because, as lovely as everything looks in summer, bathed in light, winter has its beauty too. Everything showered in a little tinkle of frost, or covered in snow? It doesn’t get much prettier than that, does it?

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So if we’ve got cold, and beautiful, what’s the third word? How about “terrifying”? Let’s be honest; snow is pretty. If you’re wrapped up warm, it can be fun to play in. However, when you try to do anything more practical, it can be hazardous. Winter, in general, is a season where you have to be safety-conscious.

Snow: Stunning When It Falls, Stubborn When It Stays

When you’re a kid, your first snowfall is one of the most magical experiences imaginable. The blanket of white outside is otherworldly at first. When you play out in it, you don’t even mind that it’s cold. Your parents do, though. And when you’re the parent, you start to think about that. What will happen if the driveway freezes, or you’re snowed in (http://lifehacker.com/all-the-best-things-to-do-when-you-re-snowed-in-1754156328)?

A look at what’s on offer at snowshifts.com should lift at least some of this concern. You can blow the snow off your driveway and at least get the car to the road. Once it’s in a safe spot, there’s more to play in!

Ice, Ice, Baby…

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Even if you’re confident on snow, ice presents its own challenges. Forget any idea of looking graceful when you walk on a frozen patch – it’s not happening. It’s all about function and safety. One fall can cause serious injury. Heck, it’s not even that pretty unless it forms somewhere out of walking range.

If you haven’t already, invest in a bag of rock salt. Scatter this over any icy patches people might have to walk on. It will melt some of the ice and give a bit of grip to the surface. It can, quite literally, be a lifesaver.

Come In From The Cold

As you grow up, you become less interested in investigating everything new about winter weather. You develop a keen interest in getting in out of it and warming up. Your kids may be harder to convince in this new interest, as the snow is still a novelty.

You may need to be the bad guy occasionally and persuade your kids to come in to warm up, even if only for a while. Every half-hour is reasonable. Some older children can be trusted to judge when they are in need of a warm-up. But for toddlers and older infants, you’ll need to make the rules. You can always have hot cocoa waiting for them as an incentive.

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So that’s winter – cold, beautiful and dangerous all at once. As long as you take the necessary precautions, it’s a season where most of the memories made will be ones to treasure. And don’t miss the chance to make snow angels!