Health
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Boiler issues loom: British Gas advice
As the leaves begin to turn and a familiar chill creeps into the air, many of us start to think about that first satisfying click as the central heating comes back to life. It's a common ritual in homes across Britain, but according to British Gas, it's also a moment fraught with potential problems. They're urging households to get ahead of the curve, and frankly, it makes a lot of sense. Last winter, over 1.2 million customers found themselves needing an engineer's visit to fix broken boilers, often in a last-ditch panic when the heating and hot water gave out.
It seems the majority of us wait until late October, or when the temperature consistently dips below 9 degrees Celsius for four days straight, before finally flicking that switch. Sunny Solanky, a British Gas service and repair engineer, points out that this is precisely when issues tend to surface after a long summer's rest for our boilers. It’s like that moment when you pull out your winter coat and discover a ripped seam – inconvenient, to say the least.
But what can we do to avoid these mid-winter emergencies? British Gas is sharing some sensible advice. Bleeding your radiators, for instance, is a simple task that can make a big difference, especially if you notice one side is cooler than the other. It's all about releasing trapped air. They also suggest simple, everyday changes like insulating pipes, setting your thermostat thoughtfully between 18 and 21 degrees, and using draught excluders to keep that precious warmth inside. Even turning down the heating by just one degree could translate to significant savings on your energy bills.
It’s easy to dismiss these as small housekeeping tips, but when you consider the sheer number of people who experienced boiler failures last year, proactive maintenance feels less like a chore and more like a necessity. The company is even highlighting the British Gas Energy Trust, which offers support and grants, even to non-customers.
So, as the autumn British Gas news points us toward colder weather, are we going to wait until the first cold snap to deal with our heating, or will we take these gentle nudges to prepare now? What simple steps will you take to ensure your home stays cozy and your boiler humming along smoothly this winter?
It seems the majority of us wait until late October, or when the temperature consistently dips below 9 degrees Celsius for four days straight, before finally flicking that switch. Sunny Solanky, a British Gas service and repair engineer, points out that this is precisely when issues tend to surface after a long summer's rest for our boilers. It’s like that moment when you pull out your winter coat and discover a ripped seam – inconvenient, to say the least.
But what can we do to avoid these mid-winter emergencies? British Gas is sharing some sensible advice. Bleeding your radiators, for instance, is a simple task that can make a big difference, especially if you notice one side is cooler than the other. It's all about releasing trapped air. They also suggest simple, everyday changes like insulating pipes, setting your thermostat thoughtfully between 18 and 21 degrees, and using draught excluders to keep that precious warmth inside. Even turning down the heating by just one degree could translate to significant savings on your energy bills.
It’s easy to dismiss these as small housekeeping tips, but when you consider the sheer number of people who experienced boiler failures last year, proactive maintenance feels less like a chore and more like a necessity. The company is even highlighting the British Gas Energy Trust, which offers support and grants, even to non-customers.
So, as the autumn British Gas news points us toward colder weather, are we going to wait until the first cold snap to deal with our heating, or will we take these gentle nudges to prepare now? What simple steps will you take to ensure your home stays cozy and your boiler humming along smoothly this winter?
