With the cold weather across the UK this winter, many of us are looking for different ways to ensure our homes are heated effectively whilst keeping costs low. But did you know that keeping your home warm and cosy is also important for many appliances? A lot of appliances need to be in a room with the temperature between 16ºC and 32ºC to operate correctly. With most big appliances, such as fridge freezers and washing machines, generally being in our kitchen areas, we have outlined some tips to keep your kitchen safe from the winter chill.
Consider appliance location
Firstly, in the colder months you are likely to notice that when you open a door or a window you will quite quickly notice the chill. This means you should consider where your appliances are located as if they are close to the door, then every time the door is open, they are vulnerable to the colder temperatures. If you cannot move the appliance due to its permanent location, be mindful of how often the doors are open during these colder months to ensure their longevity.
Adequate ventilation control
Ventilation plays a part in battling the winter chill. It is tempting to keep windows shut to stop the cold, but this can sometimes do more harm than good. Appliances in the kitchen may produce moisture and if air is not ventilated then the moisture builds up. This can create excess condensation on surfaces and the air may feel stagnant. For appliances like fridge freezes, a build-up of excess condensation can be problematic as the condensation can freeze into ice and impact performance. We recommend opening windows during the warmer parts of the day or times when you are cooking to allow the air to flow.
Layer with curtains
You can provide more insulation to your kitchen in the colder months with curtains. If you already have curtains, you may want to opt for a thermal pair during winter if you notice your kitchen is chilly. This helps to add an extra layer to keep the warmth in when required.
Keep drafts away with draft stoppers
If you’re noticing drafts from the bottom of your doors, you may wish to consider a draft stopper. These are widely available to buy and simply go at the bottom of your door to stop the draft. We suggest positioning one that it is sturdy enough to block the draft but still allows you to open and close the door when required if you need to leave or enter the room.
Take advantage of heat from cooking
Another simple trick to stop your kitchen from getting too cold in winter is to take advantage of the heat when cooking. If you’re using smaller appliances like a slow cooker, these will usually keep the kitchen warm throughout the day as they generate heat during their whole operation. This is a great benefit of using your small cooking appliances. We suggest only using these if you are present in the kitchen and do not leave any cooking appliances on if you are not staying in the home.
Adjust appliance settings if necessary
In circumstances where you feel the kitchen has got colder and you can see an impact on the performance on your appliance it may be time to adjust settings. If your fridge or freezer seems to be excessively freezing following colder weather, then adjust it to a lower cooling setting and monitor it.
Cover cold floors with a rug
Sometimes you may notice the flooring is significantly cold. This can contribute to an overall kitchen chill as the heat is lost through the floor. To combat this, you can use a large mat or rug. We recommend looking for something durable and washable in case of any spillages.
Now we’re winter ready!
By implementing these tips, you can ensure that your appliances function optimally during the winter months. If you have any concerns about the operation of your appliance in the colder months, we suggest consulting your manual or contacting the support team for more help.
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