Keep costs down and you could be a winner
LAST week, parts of Britain experienced their coldest temperatures for three years; as low as -13° in some areas.
With the cold snap set to continue throughout January, and snow and ice forecast for Greater Manchester, it’s always useful to maintain heating affordably and efficiently throughout the winter months.
Kass Hussain is director of Connected Homes at British Gas, the team behind Hive Active Heating, a new technology launched just over a year ago, allowing you to control your heating and hot water remotely, using a mobile, tablet or laptop. He advises: ●● Be heating savvy – turning radiators down in the rooms you spend the least time in is a simple way to make your home more energy efficient.
You should begin to see a difference in your consumption relatively quickly. ●● Lower could be better – reducing the heat in your home by just one degree could save you up to £65 a year on your heating bills.
With heating systems that can be controlled remotely, altering the temperature at home can be done quickly, from anywhere and at any time. ●● Cool down and sleep sound – generally people are able to sleep comfortably at around 10°C.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the room’s temperature needs to be at this level, it can actually be lower. With appropriate sleepwear and a duvet with a tog value of 12 to 13 you can be perfectly warm throughout the night – and save on heating.
Of course, the situation is different for young children and those with medical conditions. ●● Frost protection – turning off your heating when you’re away for a long period of time is a good way to help you save, but when conditions turn icy, frozen pipes are a real risk.
An increasing number of insurers now require homeowners to leave their heating on at a level above freezing or drain their water system to qualify for cover. Make sure your heating system has a frost protection feature to protect against costly insurance claims. ●● British Gas is offering three Manchester Evening News readers free installation of the Hive Active Heating system, worth £199.
To be in with a chance of winning, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/ manchestereveningnews.