·
With winter setting in, local AM Mike Hedges is
urging residents in Swansea East to make sure their homes are prepared
·
Here are some top tips for households to help
deal with the winter
·
British Gas has also launched Boiler Support
with Google Assistant to help homeowners fix more simple boiler issues
themselves for free
With cold
weather setting in, local AM Mike Hedges is urging residents to make sure their
homes are prepared for the winter.
Each year, around than
1.3 million homes across Britain experience a boiler breakdown and a new study
shows that 34 per cent of households didn’t have their boiler serviced in 2019
- putting themselves at risk of a similar crisis.
During the Beast from the East, temperatures of below -10°C and
wind speeds of over 60mph led to the busiest week on record for British Gas,
with 104 calls for assistance coming in every second. Engineers across Britain
cancelled their holidays and stayed at home so they could be there for their
customers.
This winter, British Gas’s expert team of engineers have worked
with Google to launch Boiler Support. This is a free service available via the
Google Assistant app which helps people fix some of the less technical boiler
problems at home - https://www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/boiler-support.html
Mike Hedges AM
said: “It’s really important for homes to be prepared for the winter. I want
everyone in Swansea East to understand what help is available to them, and for
their family and friends. Being energy efficient and keeping bills under
control is also really important, so I’d encourage people to seek advice from
their energy supplier and take practical steps to help with their energy use
this winter.”
1. Look after your
boiler: Make sure your
boiler’s working properly and get a Gas Safe engineer to service your boiler
annually.
2. Bleed your radiators: This may seem obvious, but you
wouldn’t believe how many people forget. If you haven’t used the heating for a
while, air can enter the system and form bubbles at the top of your radiators,
which stops them from working efficiently.
- If you notice cold spots at the top of your radiators, switch them off and when cool, turn a radiator key in the valve at the top to let the air out. Have a rag or a small container to hand so you can catch any drips.
- Keep in mind that bleeding your radiator may cause the system pressure to drop. If you have a pressure gauge on your boiler, give it a quick check and top up as necessary.
- Cold spots at the bottom or centre of the radiator may be an indication of sludge build up and the need for system flushing
3. Block the breeze:
Your windows and doors should seal properly but for those that don’t, there are
lots of options to help keep cold air out and warm air in. Fitting draught
excluders – available from most DIY stores – is a quick, easy and affordable
way to cut down on your energy bills and draught-proof your home. Letterbox brushes, chimney balloons
and even keyhole coverings can also make a real difference.
4. Maximise the heat: There’s nothing better than settling down in front
of your favourite box set as a family, but before you get too comfortable,
think about where your heat sources are. Putting your sofa in front of a
radiator may keep the best spot in the house extra toasty, but it will absorb
heat that could be warming the rest of the room.
5. Be energy smart: It’s inevitable that our energy use will increase when the heating’s
on over winter, but there is a simple way to keep track of how much you’re
using – and spending. With smart meters, you’ll be able to see how much energy
you’re using in pounds and pence, helping you to identify where you can make
savings during peak energy season. To find out more about smart meters just
visit: www.britishgas.co.uk/smart.
6. Insulate your hot
water system: Stopping heat from escaping doesn’t just save you money. When temperatures drop below zero, it’s
important to make sure that the water inside your pipes doesn’t freeze and
cause them to burst. Lagging materials are available from most DIY stores – an
easy, cost-effective solution for protecting your water tank and pipes.
7. Install a carbon
monoxide detector: You can’t hear it, see it, taste it or smell it, and it
kills around 30 people a year.
Fortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable. Faulty central heating systems are one of the
most common sources of carbon monoxide in the home – as well getting your
boiler checked once a year, it’s essential to have a carbon monoxide alarm
fitted. Available through British Gas or
from your local DIY store, the detectors last between five and seven years, so
check yours is in date and test it to be certain it’s working.
8. Make the most of
soft furnishings: Hanging curtains
and placing rugs on hard floors are some of the simplest and most effective
ways to keep your home warm this winter. Thick material (the thicker the
better) prevents heat from being lost through windows and doors – just don’t
forget to open your curtains during the day so that the sun can do some of the
work!
9. Use tech to
control your heating remotely: Ever thought about controlling your heating
and hot water remotely from your smartphone? With Hive Active Heating, you can
turn the heating on when you’re coming home from work, so the house warms up in
time for your arrival – equally, if you’re running late for any reason, having
the flexibility to control your heating on the go means you’ll never waste
money on energy you’re not using. To find out more, visit: www.britishgas.co.uk/hive.
10. Get the help you’re entitled to: It’s worth finding out if
you’re eligible for extra assistance with your energy bills, especially at this
time of year. Face-to-face advice, financial support and grants are available
from the British Gas Energy Trust (even if you’re not a British Gas customer).
Customers who need an extra hand with the practical side of things can sign up
to be on the Priority Services Register, for additional services such as
different bill formats and advanced warnings if their energy supply is facing
disruption.
ENDS
About British Gas
British Gas is Britain’s leading supplier of energy, delivering
to more than 10 million homes in Britain and more than 400,000 businesses. We
offer the highest quality services to both UK homes and businesses, provided by
more than 8,000 highly-trained engineers. We also provide a range of innovative
products and services including smart meters, connected home products by Hive™,
and the on-demand, online tradesman service, Local Heroes.
British Gas is happy to help with any winter related stories you
have planned. We can offer:
- Engineer interviews for further advice / insight or personal stories
- On the ground commentary from British Gas engineers during cold snaps and times of extreme weather
- British Gas call out data – to facilitate comparisons across different time periods and regions
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