Tag: Winter

Help your workmates save money and stay warm this winter

Many of us have been working from home since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Research from June 2020 (PDF) showed most Scots felt their energy use increased during lockdown, and almost 60% of households were worried about their bills going up as a result.

As lockdown measures continue and cold weather means the heating is on for longer, you and your workmates might need some help to manage your energy costs while keeping warm at home.

Learn simple ways to stay warm at home

The good news is, we can help. As well as impartial advice to householders, we also offer fun and interactive online workshops for employers across Scotland.

Workshops are completely free and can be tailored to suit your workplace. And they’re a great way to connect with and support your colleagues, especially when many may be concerned about rising bills.

You and your workmates will pick up practical tips to reduce your bills and keep your home warm, like:

  • Getting to know your heating controls, so you can get the best out of your heating system and make your home more comfortable
  • Keeping the heat in by draught-proofing your home
  • Making sure you’re not wasting energy – just turning your appliances off instead of leaving them on standby could save you £30 a year
  • Finding out what support is available to help you make your home warmer and more energy efficient through energy saving home improvements

We’d love to help you and your colleagues stay warm this winter – email us to book your workshop. We also offer workshops on travelling sustainably (for essential journeys of course!), and saving water in partnership with Scottish Water. If getting everyone together for an online workshop will be tricky, our home energy e-learning is also full of useful advice on saving energy and money at home

Pick up tips to make the food shop go further

While we’re all cutting down on supermarket trips and many household budgets are getting tighter, it helps to make the food shop go further. Love Food Hate Waste workshops, delivered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of Zero Waste Scotland, can help attendees save up to £437 a year by reducing food waste, through simple tips like: 

  • Menu planning, to make sure you don’t buy more than you use and don’t have to dash out for missing ingredients
  • Storing food correctly so it lasts longer
  • Using up leftovers and kitchen cupboard ingredients with crafty recipes

Interested? Get in touch to book a workshop.

Support for communities as well as workplaces

We also offer free online workshops for community groups on saving energy and water at home, travelling sustainably, and cutting food waste.

These are a great way to get your community group together remotely.

Find out more about our support for communities, and drop us an email if you’d like to book a workshop.

Council catches up with bin collections as conditions ease

Council staff have been working around the clock to minimise disruption after this week’s heavy snowfall in the city – and now bin collections have resumed too.

Roads service teams have been out day and night to clear snow from priority pavements, cycle paths and roads, as well as outside COVID vaccination centres. Due to the volume of snowfall they often need to treat and re-treat the the network to keep it passable.

As a result of the severe weather and lying snow the council took the decision to suspend all waste and cleansing services and close recycling centres. During this time, waste and cleansing staff will help gritting teams to clear snow as quickly as possible.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said on Tuesday: “We had our full fleet of gritters and mini-tractors out yesterday and throughout the night, treating roads, pavements and cycle lanes and clearing priority routes of snow.

“The team have been focusing on COVID vaccination centres and key arterial routes to make sure anyone needing to make an essential journey or to receive a COVID vaccination is able to.

Frontline staff in both roads and waste and cleansing services have been working tirelessly in the face of heavy snowfall, which can at times pose a safety risk. For this reason, we have decided to suspend waste collections, close recycling centres and cancel special uplifts, due to lying snow, for the safety of staff and the public. In the meantime, waste and cleansing staff will be assisting with snow-clearing efforts to help keep the city moving.

“We hope that everyone will understand that these are exceptional circumstances and that, while it may produce a temporary inconvenience for some residents, it is a sensible decision to prioritise safety for our crews and residents alike. We will resume waste collections as quickly as possible and thank the public for their patience – we will keep our website and social media updated with the latest information.”

Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “Roads services teams have been working extremely hard overnight and will continue treating the city throughout the day. They will often need to revisit key routes multiple times to make sure they are passable when poor weather persists.

“With further snow and bitterly cold weather forecast we’ll need to concentrate on priority routes, revisiting these where necessary when further snow falls and ice forms. Squads will benefit from the assistance of waste and cleansing staff during this severe weather.

“I would encourage residents only to travel if it’s absolutely necessary and to take extra care if they do.”

Anyone with a booking for a recycling centre or a special uplift will receive an email about rebooking their appointment.

Further information and tips on clearing snow and gritting priority routes is available on the Council website.

Today will be largely dry with a maximum temperature of 2 – 3%; but there will be a few snow showers in eastern areas lingering through the day. Cloud will be patchy allowing for plenty of sunny spells. A little breezy.

Yellow weather warning for snow as wintry showers continue

Travel conditions remain tricky today and weather forecasters advise only essential travel.

There will be occasional snow showers in the east. Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders seeing sunshine and a few snow showers, these becoming less widespread this afternoon. It will be very cold, maximum temperature 1 °C.

Tonight: Many places will have a dry, clear and very cold night. Still a chance of an isolated snow shower across the east. Widespread severe or very severe frost. Minimum temperature -10 °C.

Edinburgh Tram services are currently suspended due to weather conditions.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1359395706717540353

Disrupted Bus Services

LOTHIAN BUSES report that due to adverse weather buses are unable to serve Picardy Place and Leith Street and are instead diverted via London Road, Regent Road and Waterloo Place southbound only until further notice.

Car Won’t Start?

The RAC estimate that 28% of breakdown issues are battery-related, so it is best to keep it regularly maintained, charged and in good health.

You can find out how to do this and how to identify the signs that your battery might need changing on the RAC’s what to do if your car won’t start in the cold page.

How can I demist my windscreen quickly?

This is one of the handiest pieces of advice at your disposal when the cold weather begins to creep in.

After all it is illegal to drive if your visibility is impeded and steamed up windows are the biggest culprit of this. Did you know that more often than not you will actually clear your windscreen faster using cold air than hot air?

Read more on the RAC’s how to demist your windscreen in double-quick time page.

Help to warm homes this winter

First award through £7 million fuel poverty fund

A project which helps people struggling to heat their homes has become the first to receive a share of a £7 million fund to tackle fuel poverty this winter.

The Fuel Bank Foundation will receive £444,500 to extend its work, which includes providing same-day support to top up prepayment meters for those at risk of disconnection, and help for households that are reliant on solid fuel – often people living in remote and rural communities.

The £7 million for winter fuel is part of the £100 million winter support package announced by the First Minister in November. The remaining funding will be allocated to other projects which help to alleviate fuel poverty.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We know the economic impact of the pandemic is taking its toll and this, combined with increased fuel bills as people spend more time at home, can lead people to struggle.

“The £7 million part of our overall winter support package is being targeted to help those most at need. It complements ongoing work, which includes our Fuel Poverty Act, the most comprehensive legislation of its kind in the UK.

“It will complement the other measures we are funding through the £100 million winter package, which will help those on low incomes, children and people at risk of homelessness or social isolation cope with winter weather and the economic impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) and Brexit.

“The Fuel Bank Foundation does tremendous work to help some of the people most impacted by fuel poverty, including those living in remote and rural areas. I am confident this initial funding award will make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Matthew Cole, chair of trustees at Fuel Bank Foundation, said: “The Scottish Government’s commitment to providing funding for our fuel banks through the winter will ensure we can continue providing emergency support at a time when many households will be feeling the pinch from increased winter fuel costs and the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 

“We also recognise challenges faced by households using solid fuels and are pleased to be able to introduce support in these situations too.

“Tighter COVID-19 restrictions will mean people spending more time at home and therefore using more energy on heating and lighting and putting extra pressure on their already stretched finances.

“As a charitable trust we rely on funding from central and devolved government, local authorities, energy companies, and other charitable organisations. Their financial support is invaluable to us and to those in society who depend on it the most.” 

The dos and don’ts of de-icing your vehicle

British drivers can prevent the timely process of clearing ice from their cars with these ten tips and tricks – and avoid any fines or penalty points in the process.

Experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have compiled a list of dos and don’ts for de-icing vehicles, and have advised on how you can avoid it altogether.

As the temperature drops below freezing, water vapour in the air is cooled, causing frost and ice.

And because windscreens and windows are made of glass, they tend to freeze over much quicker than any other part of vehicles.

The Highway Code clearly states that windows and windscreens must be kept clean and free of obstructions to vision – breaking this rule could result in a fine and points on your licence.

Tim Alcock, from LeaseVan.co.uk, said: “For many, these points will be common knowledge, but you can guarantee there’ll be someone in the UK trying to use an old ABBA Gold CD to scrape a thick layer of ice from their car this cold snap – resulting in a severely scratched windscreen that will cost hundreds to repair.

“As well as following the advice we’ve compiled here, there are also some preventative measures you can take to save yourself the hassle of having to scrape your car every morning.

“Cover your windshield with a tarp, towel or sheet, and weigh it down to prevent ice from building up. Don’t use this method if we’re expecting heavy snow, however, as it could be difficult to remove underneath inches of the white stuff.

“You could also mix up one-part water to three-parts vinegar and spray across the windscreen and windows the night before. Vinegar has a low freezing point, which makes short work of the frost and perfect for de-icing.

“And if you’ve got a garage, use it. By protecting your car from the elements, you significantly reduce the amount of elbow grease needed to remove ice after a frost.”

DO

1. Start your car and let it warm up – but stay in the vehicle!

If your car or van has a ‘defrost’ setting on the temperature gauge, switch it on. It could take around fifteen minutes for the glass to get warm on the inside and melt the ice on your windscreen. 

2. Make sure no ice, snow or other materials are blocking the exhaust pipe.

While your vehicle is warming up, make sure nothing is blocking your car’s exhaust pipe to prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.

3. Spray your car or van with a saltwater solution

This will dissolve the ice with a chemical reaction rather than melting it with heat. The ions in salt also lower the freezing point of water, making it difficult for it to refreeze. Apply the solution sparingly, as heavy application could damage the glass.

4. Use a made-for-purpose ice scraper to chip ice off your windscreen

It’s a good idea to keep one in your car or van at all times. Put it into the windshield and use short, powerful strokes to chip the ice away.

5. Keep a bottle of de-icer in your vehicle

They’re available from most garages for a couple of pounds and reduce the amount of effort needed to clear your car in the morning.

6. Leave plenty of time to defrost your car or van properly

About 10-15 minutes should do it. Don’t try and drive off if your windows aren’t completely clear.

DON’T

1. Start your car and let it warm up – and then leave it

You could risk a £20 fine and three penalty points for leaving your vehicle to defrost while the engine is idling. It also makes you an easy target for thieves, too.

2. Try to defrost the windscreen using hot, cold or warm water

Using warm or hot water could cause the glass to crack and break due to thermal shock, when the temperature changes really suddenly.

3. Just make a peephole in the middle of the ice or snow and then drive off

This could result in a £60 fine and three points on your licence for driving with limited vision.

4. Use anything but a made-for-purpose ice scraper to chip ice from your windscreen

When rushing to get to work in the morning, it’s easy to reach for the nearest flat object – like a bank card or CD – to scrape the ice off, but using anything other than a car or van ice scraper could lead to a severely scratched windscreen

Nine flowers to plant for winter blooms

British gardeners have been offered advice on the best flowers to plant for winter colour.

Plant pros at GardeningExpress.co.uk have revealed nine hardy climbers, shrubs and bedding plants which brave the cold to brighten up dreary gardens in the coldest, darkest months.

Blooming gardens are usually associated with the bright, warm days of spring and summer, but there are a variety of hardy plants that survive and even thrive in the colder months.

From pansies and daphne to snowdrops and clematis, these plants will help gardens look spectacular all year round.

A spokesperson for GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Gardens needn’t look dull, dreary and dormant through winter, as there are a number of fantastic plants which are perfect for adding a splash of colour in the coldest, darkest months.

“From climbers and shrubs to bedding plants and evergreens, there’s something suitable for every spot in every garden. Pots and flowers borders will be brightened up in no time.”

1. Christmas Rose

These flowers bloom usually in January but sometimes as early as Christmas. They feature large, round, white flowers above low-growing mounds of leathery, deep green foliage, and are perfect for growing at the front of a partially shaded border.

2. Pansies

These low-growing, bushy perennials have large, striking flowers and heart-shaped leaves, and are a gardener’s staple. The bicoloured flowers have darker, face-like markings in the centre. Most varieties flower in spring and summer but some have been bred to bloom November to March, so make sure you buy the right type.

3. Mahonia

Mahonias feature slender spikes of bright yellow flowers that are popular with winter-active bumblebees, as well as evergreen rosettes of glossy dark green leaves. They flower between November and March and should be grown in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.

4. Daphne

These colourful shrubs bloom in late winter and early spring. They’re great for small gardens, with some varieties suiting window boxes and containers too. Most varieties bear clusters of small flowers in various shades of red or pink, and sometimes white or green too.

5. Snowdrops

Snowdrops are some of the first bulbs of the year to flower, heralding the end of winter. With so many different species and varieties to choose from, the snowdrop has fast become a winter favourite amongst UK gardeners. For natural looking drifts, gently cast the bulbs across the planting area and plant them exactly where they land.  

6. Winter clematis

Winter clematis is a perennial climber with glossy, evergreen foliage, and it flowers December to January. As a group one clematis, they don’t need pruning, though this can be done lightly, straight after flowering, to restrict their size.

7. Heather

Winter-flowering heathers are inexpensive, and a brilliant plant for low-growing texture. Evergreen, easy to grow, small, manageable, and long-flowering, it looks great in pots and comes with pink, white and purple flowers.

8. Cyclamen

Braving the cold, Cyclamen are winter heroes that can be brought to flower from autumn to spring. The flowers come in a variety of red, pink and white shades, which look fantastic in pots or planted under trees.

9. Winter Aconite

Cheery winter aconite bulbs produce golden, cup-shaped flowers surrounded by a green collar of leaves. In fact, they look just like buttercups, except they flower in the depths of winter. They love a moist soil and a shady position, so they’re perfect for planting among trees.

Love Golf? It pays to play

** Unlimited monthly winter-golf for just £22.50 per month **

For die hard golf fans or even those new to the game who want to keep in the swing of it during the winter, Edinburgh Leisure’s winter golf membership could be just the deal.

It pays to play, with the membership costing just £22.50 per month, compared up to £27.50 that you would pay as a pay-as-you-go customer. So buying a winter golf membership and playing more than once, will mean a saving worth having.

Ken Harvey, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Golf at Edinburgh Leisure has experienced a resurgence after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted at the beginning of June and it’s been great to see regulars back on our fairways and also new players taking up the game or players returning to the game after dusting off their clubs.

“With minimal use of winter greens and no mats, it’s the ideal opportunity to keep your golf on par until the summer returns.  The beauty of Edinburgh Leisure’s winter golf membership is that you won’t have to rely on playing just one course.

“Our membership gives you the flexibility and variety to experience up to six different courses in unique locations across the city. So wrap up warm, fill your thermos, grab your clubs and improve your game and your mental health with a round of golf!  In fact, playing just once a month, will see your membership pay for itself.”

The winter pass is valid from 1 October 2020 – 31 March 2021 and allows access to Edinburgh Leisure’s six golf courses*.

Edinburgh Leisure’s 18-hole courses include Braid Hills, Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny, and Silverknowes.  For a quicker challenge, Edinburgh Leisure also have two popular 9-hole courses – Portobello and the Wee Braids.

From December to February, the Wee Braids closes and some of its holes are incorporated into the main Braid Hills course.

Payable monthly by direct debit until March 2021, different membership options are available including access to all the courses, seven days-a-week, and a five-day membership with access to all courses, Monday to Friday. 

The membership also gives 20% off other Edinburgh Leisure activities including the gym, swimming, racquet sports and climbing, at the various Edinburgh Leisure venues across the city – so it pays to play. 

Edinburgh Leisure has introduced rules and measures to ensure golfers can play in an environment that is safe for both customers and staff. 

Some things have changed but customers will still be guaranteed the warm Edinburgh Leisure welcome:

  • It is now necessary for all tee times to be booked and paid for in advance. Customers can no longer turn up to play.
  • Each player must be played for separately. The booking system lets the golfer and any guests to pay separately for their round.
  • Edinburgh Leisure members and cardholders can book a tee time from 9 pm, 8 days in advance. Non-members can still book a tee-time but will need to create an account with Edinburgh Leisure before they can book.  They will then be able to book from 9 pm, 7 days in advance. 
  • Under the current guidelines, only four-balls social golf can be played.
  • No changing rooms will be available so golfers are advised to change into their shoes and any outdoor wear whilst at their car and then proceed straight to the starters’ office/area.
  • Golf guidelines and terms and conditions can be found on the Edinburgh Leisure website – https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/golf-covid-guidelines

The Golf Membership is available to buy online only –
https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/winter-golf-membership

Mental health “perfect storm” will affect millions this Winter

A “perfect storm” of mental health stresses is being created with lockdowns, economic anxiety, enforced social distancing, poor weather and isolation – meaning millions of home workers will suffer in silence this Winter.

The UK is possibly facing its biggest ever mental health crisis since the WWII this Winter as a combination of many factors will contribute to the low mood and poor mental health of millions of employees working from home.

According to the ONS (Office of National Statistics) 69% of adults in the UK are staying that Coronavirus is having a negative effect on their life and the drill down statistics are even worse:

  • 63% are worrying about the future
  • 56% are feeling stressed or anxious
  • 49% are bored

“The worrying thing is everyone is in the same boat – we are so busy fighting our own fires – many of us don’t have the time or energy to help others”, says Jonathan Ratcliffe from office company Offices.co.uk.

“People are having a rotten time of it at the moment, and this Winter will be a real crunch point for many”.

Critical stress factors this Winter include:

Lockdowns – working from home and seeing less family/friends mean increasingly isolated lives

Uncertainty – Worries over employment and the economy creating a feeling of anxiousness

Poor Weather – Less daylight, poor weather means less opportunity to leave the house for fresh air and exercise

“The big worry for myself and my colleagues is either a new National lockdown, or the schools will close, because this will tip the balance for many people working from home and just managing to keep things on an even keel”, says Jonathan Ratcliffe

Offices.co.uk offers these general pointers to those working from home and feeling the pressure:

Routine – it’s vital if you want to be motivated that you set a routine. Make sure you get up at a decent time and start work at 9am.

To do list – Start by writing a small list of work to achieve, lower your expectations and work towards ticking all those goals even if they are small.

Talk to someone – If you have a work buddy, you’d usually chew the fat with, why change? Give them a call, maybe first thing – helps you both realise you are not alone.

Food and drink – Make sure you eat properly and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Fresh air – At lunch time take a walk or sit outside, put your phone down, look around and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Finish at 5 – Don’t be tempted to work into the evening, try and finish up around the same time as you would normally.

Put the phone down – After “work” is over, try to forget about it. Enjoy time with a partner or family.

Wine O’clock – It’s tempting to hit the wine each night, we’re under stress. But you didn’t booze like this before, time to reduce intake and get a good sleep.

Sleep – Decent bedtime and try and get 8 hours solid sleep if possible.

Plan for the other side – This will end, we simply don’t know when yet, and when it does you need to be in the best shape possible to seize any opportunities. Get planning!

“Bosses need to be very aware that their remote staff might be struggling, and while they have their own pressures, they need to reach out and monitor staff daily to make sure any issues can be addressed – being sensitive and caring is upmost for employers this Winter period”, concludes Jonathan Ratcliffe from Offices.co.uk

Don’t ignore your heating system this winter, households in Scotland urged

As a new survey reveals the majority of people have turned their heating back on over the past two months, households in Scotland are being urged not to forget to check their systems are working correctly in the busy pre-Christmas period to help avoid a winter breakdown. Continue reading Don’t ignore your heating system this winter, households in Scotland urged