The ultimate winter home maintenance checklist

Winter is on the way, bringing colder days, heavy rain, and the chance of storms. Now is the perfect time to get ahead and protect your home from damage. Our winter home maintenance checklist will help you prepare your house for the season - keeping it safe, warm, and comfortable. Here are our key tips to help you get winter ready.

Insulate your tanks and pipes

Adding a lagging jacket to your water tank and foam covers to hot water pipes can help your system hold heat for longer, reducing energy waste and your energy bills. It also protects against freezing during the colder months, saving you from potential damage and costly repairs.

It may be worth reviewing your home’s overall insulation levels and ability to retain heat. However, these works can be expensive and may require home improvement financing.

Service your heating system

When getting your house winter ready, it’s important that you get a service for your heating system. Schedule a professional service person to make sure it’s running efficiently before the colder weather. A tune-up can reduce the chance of your boiler breaking down, lowering energy costs, and keeping your home warm all winter.

Use gutter cleaning services

Hiring a professional to clear debris makes sure that your gutters can survive heavy rain and winter storms. Blocked gutters can quickly lead to leaks and water damage. Spending a little now can prevent any issues in the winter.

Schedule an electrical system check

An electrical system check should be part of every winter home maintenance checklist. Paying for a professional to run a complete test gives you peace of mind. Cold, dark days put extra pressure on your electrical system. A check up now reduces the risk of breakdowns later.

Seal windows and doors

Even a small gap around any windows or doors can let the cold in and drive heating costs up. Use weather-stripping or sealant to close any gaps. It’s a simple fix that can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient all winter long.

Schedule a chimney cleaning

The last thing you want on a cold winter night is smoke backing up into your home from a blocked chimney. A blocked chimney can cause serious problems, so regular cleaning is essential to keep your fireplace safe and efficient. Get prepared for winter by booking a professional cleaning prior to the winter months.

Check outdoor lighting

With shorter days and longer nights, reliable outdoor lighting is essential for both safety and general use of the outdoor space. Swap out any old or dim bulbs with LED ones that give brighter light and lower running costs.

If you need extra funds to get your home winter ready, then a Home Improvement Loan from Avant Money is a great way to get you started. You can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 with flexible loan terms from 12 to 120 months*. Apply online, and if eligible, approval in principle can be given in minutes.

With fixed interest rates, your repayments will stay the same, and there are no set-up or early repayment fees. Avant Money’s Online Eligibility Checker can help you understand if you’re likely to be approved, and you can complete the application process online. Use our handy Loan Calculator to find out how much you can borrow today.

Rates and loan terms are correct as of 1st February 2026 and are subject to change. The Maximum APR (Annual Percentage Rate) on all Avant Money loans is 19.9%. Minimum loan term is 12 months, and maximum term is 120 months. Loan terms vary depending on the purpose of the loan. Terms greater than 84 months up to a maximum of 120 months are only available for Refinance and Home Improvement Loans of €20,000 to €75,000.

Representative example: On a €30,000 loan over 5 years, at a fixed rate of 6.5% (6.7% APR) you will pay €586.98 a month. The total cost of credit would be €5,219.07 and the total amount repayable would be €35,219.07.

Lending criteria, terms and conditions will apply. Personal Loans are available to residents of the Republic of Ireland over the age of 18 and are subject to repayment capacity and financial status. Proof of income and a credit reference agency search will be required to help us approve your request. Personal Loans are unsecured and not available for business purposes, house purchase or investment.

Our interest rates vary depending on the value of your loan and credit profile. We will assign you the appropriate interest rate once your application has been reviewed. To find out more about the loan values and applicable interest rates, check out our rate table at Avant Money Personal Loans.

Bankinter S.A., trading as Avant Money, is authorised by the Banco de España in Spain and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for consumer protection rules.