Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Chill about winter repairs
Early planning can keep pipes intact and the boiler humming
BEING without heating or hot water, illnesses and falling on ice are among the biggest winter stresses.
As Britain braces itself for a return of the ‘Beast from the East,’ hiked energy bills, worrying about home repairs and having to get up when it’s dark outside also featured on a list of top anxiety triggers.
The study of 2,000 homeowners also revealed one in five are concerned about a deep freeze causing their pipes to burst, while a tenth are worried their heating isn’t up to the task of warming their home.
Many are right to worry though as 45% have experienced their boiler breaking down in winter, taking an average of seven days to get fixed – at a cost of almost £940.
But almost half of property owners don’t set anything aside to deal with home emergencies, despite the average Briton expecting to spend £1,278 overcoming testing winter times.
Andy Kerr, co-founder of smart home tech installers, BOXT, which commissioned the study says: “When it comes to our homes, health and finances, more than half of homeowners agree that winter is far more stressful than summer.
“One in six respondents feel they have overpaid for emergency repairs in the past as they didn’t feel clued-up as to how much it should cost.”
The study also found that worrying about being ripped off for home repairs is a major source of stress for two thirds of property owners.
And in total, Brits estimate they paid £383 on repairs to their home during winter last year.
But 24% believe they wouldn’t be financially prepared to do the same again this year and would have to consider putting the expense on a credit card.
Despite knowing the risks, one in seven homeowners have never had their boiler serviced, while 13% are unaware of how much a new heating system would cost.
A third also said they wouldn’t have the disposable cash to cover the cost of a new system if it broke tomorrow.
As for fielding basic maintenance ahead of the winter months, worryingly, one in five do not know where to turn the gas off at the mains, while an eighth do not where the stop cock is.
More than a third (36%) of those surveyed in the study, have also never checked their boiler pressure, with 52% unaware of what the correct operating pressure of their boiler should be.
Andy adds: “With forecasters predicting the coldest winter in 30 years, it’s well worth taking the time to make sure your home is in good working order, before temperatures start to bite.
“It’s only when you’re without your boiler that you realise how much you rely on it.”