National Home Improvement Council (NHIC)‘s Anna Scothern shares how installers and housing providers can help residents get ready for winter.
Preparing for the coming winter months can help you stay ahead and provide excellent customer service. Not only does preparing your business help you stay ahead of your competition, it ensures that your customers receive the best possible service during the colder months.
One of the most important things you can do to get winter-ready is to ensure that your business is fully equipped to handle the increased demand for services during the colder months. This means having enough staff and supplies to meet the needs of your customers. You should also consider offering winter-specific services such as boiler servicing, pipe insulation, and weatherproofing to keep homes warm and comfortable.
In addition to preparing your business, it’s essential to help your customers winter-proof their homes.
NHIC Member CORGI is leading a campaign to help installers help their customers #GetWinterReady, and it’s worth checking out the website for more info.
Ensure that your customers know the importance of having their heating systems serviced by qualified professionals and flushing them to remove any sludge build-up that may be causing inefficiencies. Encourage them to check that their radiators are heating up properly and bleed if necessary.
Ventilation and indoor air quality
Installing appropriate ventilation, especially in bathrooms, eliminates dampness and prevents mould growth. Moisture can build up in the bathroom when we shower or bathe without proper ventilation, especially during winter, as windows are kept shut to keep the cold air out. This moisture can linger and lead to dampness and mould growth. Installing extractor fans in bathrooms and other high-moisture areas can help remove moisture from the air and prevent these issues.
However, it’s not just the bathroom that needs ventilation – proper ventilation throughout the home is essential to maintaining good indoor air quality and preventing dampness and mould growth. NHIC Member EnviroVent offers a range of ventilation solutions for homes and businesses, including extractor fans, whole-house ventilation systems, and heat recovery systems. By being knowledgeable in this area, you can help your customers make the right choices for their homes and #GetWinterReady.
You can also help your customers winter-proof their homes by ensuring their windows and doors are correctly sealed to prevent drafts and by adding insulation to their walls and attics to keep the heat in. Investing in heavier curtains or blinds can help keep the cold out while ensuring the home remains warm and cosy.
It is not just homes that must be prepared for winter – cars and vans do, too. Ensure your company vehicles are in good condition and equipped with the right tyres and fluids for winter driving. Consider keeping an emergency kit on board with warm clothing, blankets, a torch, and food and water if you are stranded due to flooding, heavy snow, or icy conditions.
Staying healthy during the winter months is also essential. You must ensure you and those around you get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet, and stay active. A vitamin D supplement is worth considering, as many people need more of this essential nutrient during the winter when sunlight is scarce. Also, as the days get shorter and darker, it’s common for people to experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that typically occurs during the winter months. It’s essential to prioritise good mental health during the winter and ensure you care for yourself physically and emotionally. The NHIC podcast series on mental health might be worth tuning into, full of ideas to support positive mental health.
Weather emergencies
Finally, it’s essential to be prepared for any weather-related emergencies during the winter. Make sure you carry enough stock of essential repair items and find suppliers of spares who deliver at worst the next day, and often, like NHIC Member TradeKart, within a few hours. This way, you can ensure you’re supporting your customers, building loyalty and being as efficient and profitable as possible.
So why not start preparing now, before the snow begins to fall? By following these simple tips, you can help your customers stay warm and comfortable throughout the winter months while growing your business and staying ahead of the competition.
- Ensure your business is fully equipped to handle the increased demand for services during the colder months.
- Consider offering winter-specific services such as boiler servicing, pipe insulation, and weatherproofing to keep your customers’ homes warm and comfortable.
- Encourage customers to check that their heating systems and radiators are working correctly.
- Help customers winter-proof their homes by ensuring their windows and doors are correctly sealed to prevent drafts and by adding insulation to their walls and attics to keep the heat in.
- Ensure company vehicles are in good condition and equipped with the right tyres and fluids for winter driving.
- Prioritise good mental health during the winter and ensure you care for yourself physically and emotionally.
- Be prepared for any weather-related emergencies during the winter by carrying enough stock of essential repair items.
By ensuring your business is fully equipped to handle the increased demand for services, offering winter-specific services, and helping your customers winter-proof their homes, you can ensure that you’re ready for whatever the winter weather has in store.
