It happens every year, yet somehow it always seems to come as a little bit of a shock! The nights start to draw in and we wake up when it’s still dark. There’s lots of advice out there on how to keep houses warm and fashion tips on how to look great in the cold, but here at the Heating Installer Awards we like to look out for our own! And after last year’s bitingly cold beast from the east that lasted well into spring, we think that it’s important to prepare for what might come this year:
- Make sure that your vehicle is prepared for the change in weather because breaking down in the cold is enough to ruin anyone’s day. Make sure you check tyre treads regularly, as well as test your tyre pressures, and monitor oil and water levels – all the activities we love to say ‘I’ll do that next week’ about! As well as this, it’s a good idea to always keep some de-icer, an ice scraper and a blanket in your van, then at least if you do happen to breakdown or get stuck in bad weather, you’re prepared.
- On this note, make sure you’ve got a good breakdown policy in place, just in case. No one wants to be stood on the roadside in the middle of winter for any longer than necessary – especially when there’s a job to get to!
- Working in winter can be chilly; especially for you guys who are likely to be working on a project where you’re installing/fixing a heating system, meaning the house or building is probably cold. So make sure you invest in the right clothing. Look out for affordable winter clothing in the sales, such as insulated and waterproof trousers and jackets, and some top quality thermals and fleeces. Some heavy duty, sturdy winter boots will also come in handy, as well as some anti-slip gloves for working in the rain or snow. Helmet liners are also a great way to keep your head and neck warm.
- With the the clocks going back, the evenings will start getting darker even earlier now, so remember to factor in shorter days to your work schedule if you will need natural light to complete a job.
- Finally, you never know if a customer will offer to put the kettle on, so make sure you get yourself a good flask. Nothing beats a hot cup of tea or coffee!
As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. But that’s why you’re reading this, to prepare! So make sure you follow up on this advice and keep warm this winter.
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