As energy bills soar, and with the cost of living crisis hitting households hard, most people are trying to save money where they can.
Despite various cost of living schemes from the Government and energy suppliers, families are doing all they can to lower their increasing costs. One British Gas engineer has now shared some of his "little wins" that can help people reduce their energy bills in the short term.
Sunny Solanky works for the energy supplier as an engineer and is busy helping families with their gas and electricity concerns amid one of the coldest spells of weather this year.
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Mr Solanky told the Express “little things that we can all do that can make a big difference” when it comes to saving money and conserving energy. While many families consider replacing their boiler to save on long-term costs, Ms Solankly highlighted acts like drawing your blinds and items, such as cardboard, are useful tools in bringing expenses down.
He said: “Most of the questions that I get asked is, what's the best way to run the heating? Or what's the best way to save a little bit? It's quite simple.
“If you've got your heating on, put draught excluders under doors, when the heat is on. Also, drawing blinds and curtains, because you lose a lot of heat through your windows and things which a lot of people just don't think about.
“Keeping furniture away from radiators. If you've got the sofa right against the radiator, it's blocking off the heat, it's not able to then heat the room.
“You can get a big piece of cardboard, wrap it in some foil and put it behind your radiator. That helps stop the heat getting lost through into the walls rather than into the room, which is what you want.”
One of the biggest issues households face in the winter months is frozen pipes which have a knock-on effect of preventing heating and hot water from getting around the house. Warning signs that come beforehand include central heating that makes gurgling sounds when it’s on or the boiler not turning on.
As well as this, if there is no water coming out of taps or the sink is closed, it could be due to a frozen pipe. Home insulation is one of the best things people can do to save cash, according to British Gas, with pipe insulation being a worthwhile investment in the winter months.
Mr Solanksy added: “By insulating some of your pipes, you can stop them being frozen, which could save you about £20 a year putting the foil and cardboard behind radiators, possibly around £25. There's a lot of different things so draught proofing, that could save £100 a year. It's not a lot of work and it's not expensive things that we're talking about here either.
The energy expert cited the importance of homes becoming energy efficient so families can continue making savings in the long run.
He said: "We've always given people the best advice on efficiency in their house, whether it be thermostatic radiator valve, hide thermostats, Smart Controls, newer boilers, power flushing, getting the boiler serviced.
“We're always giving people and we have done in every house that we go to, we're always giving them the best advice possible and the most relevant advice to each house. Little wins right now are draft excluders, getting that foil behind the radiator, making sure the boiler stays working.
“Keeping radiators clear and free and not obstructing them. Otherwise, you just end up blocking the heat. And again, close the drawing curtains just to keep the heat in the house. It's little things that we can all do that can make a big difference.”
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