Janet Finch-Saunders AM said: “It’s really important to keep a step ahead of winter. I want everyone to understand what help is available for them, and for their family and friends. Being energy efficient and keeping bills under control is really important, so I’d encourage people to get in touch with their energy supplier to find out what support is on offer.”
British Gas engineer Rob Jones, who fixes and repairs boilers in Wales, said: “Winter can be a challenging time for households, but there are some practical steps that you can take, with our help, to make sure that you are prepared:
- Get the best deal
We have been working hard to ensure buying energy is simple, transparent and fair for customers – for every customer on a standard variable tariff they will get an Annual Energy Health Check to make sure they’re on the right tariff.
- Get smart meters
Your energy supplier will be able to install smart meters, which mean an end to estimated bills. A smart energy monitor shows how much energy you are using, and what you are spending. Find out more by visiting www.britishgas.co.uk/smartmeters
- The British Gas Energy Trust
This independent trust gives face-to-face advice, financial support and grants to help clear energy and household debts. Find out more by visiting: www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk.
- Bleed your radiators: to make sure they are working properly. If your radiators have cold spots at the top, this means you have air in the system, so you will need to bleed them to get them working efficiently.
- Block the breeze: Make sure all of your windows and doors seal properly to stop warm air escaping. For those that don’t, fitting draught excluders, is a quick and cheap way to cut down on your energy bills.
- Stay safe: It’s vital to have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted and that you test it regularly.
- Love your boiler: Check to make sure that your boiler is working properly before winter sets in.
- Insulate your pipes: Burst pipes are a huge issue during winter months. To help prevent burst pipes, ensure all pipes are properly insulated by using lagging, which can be bought cheaply from most DIY shops.
- Maintain your drains: If you're trying to keep your drains outside well maintained, it's a good idea to make sure they are clear of debris at the point at which they enter the ground.
- Control your heating remotely with Hive Active Heating: Using Hive Active Heating means you can control your heating and hot water remotely from your smartphone with the Hive app. Find out more: www.britishgas.co.uk/hive
More details about all of these tips can be found at po.st/wintertoptips
10 easy tips from @BritishGas http://po.st/wintertoptips