With the dark nights and colder temperatures now upon us, it is time to start thinking about winter-proofing your home to ensure you stay warm and dry through the worst of the weather.

Installing new PVCu windows is a great way to keep out the cold and will also allow you to reduce your heating bills. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that fitting energy-efficient windows and the latest window frames cuts an average home energy bill by around £170 a year because they are so effective at cutting heat loss.

Buying some stylish new PVCu windows is not the only step you can take to get ready for winter, and The Lockwood Window Company has put together a checklist to help you prepare.

1. Have the boiler serviced. The last thing you want to happen during the depths of a Yorkshire winter is to be without central heating, so get a Gas Safe registered engineer to service your boiler to make sure it is in full working order before the temperatures outside plummet. If you have an open fire, have the chimney swept to make certain it is safe to use.

2. Lag pipes and water tanks. Burst pipes caused by frozen water are a very real possibility during a cold spell and can cause substantial damage to your home. Make sure your water tank has a proper insulating jacket and that you lag exposed pipework with good quality insulation.

3. Check your loft insulation. Homes built in the last few years should have the right level of loft insulation, but if you live in an older property it is worth checking you have enough protection in place. Loft insulation is cheap and will help to reduce your heating bills.

4. Look for broken roof tiles. Roofers can't work when it is wet or windy, so make sure you check for broken tiles and damaged felting before the winter and arrange for repairs to be carried out.

5. Clean out the gutters. Blocked gutters can lead to overspills, which can cause dangerous icy patches on the ground and damage conservatories or flat-roofed garages below, so clean out the autumn leaves before winter arrives.

6. Tidy up the garden. Cut back any low-hanging branches that could damage your home in the event of a storm, check the fences are in a good condition and move bins and garden furniture to places where they can't be blown around.

7. Remember to leave your central heating on. No-one wants to leave the heating on when they are out of the house, but keeping it on a low setting during the day will help to avoid frozen pipes.

8. Be prepared for the worst. Sometimes problems are unavoidable, so make sure you know where you to find your torch, blankets, insurance company's details and the phone number of a local plumber.