The most energy-efficient way to cut down energy bills is to get your boiler serviced

(15/10/2008)

Thousands of UK homeowners are wasting hundreds of pounds a year because they’re not paying attention to simple home maintenance measures. According to a survey by eGenie, four out of five homeowners in the UK didn’t even know when they last had their central heating system checked.

“We have more requests for broken-down boilers to be fixed because they haven’t been looked after properly than for anything else,” says Stefan Troester of eGenie. “Apart from the cost of a new boiler, which is around £1,000, you will also be using more valuable energy then you need to if your boiler is not working efficiently. Our suggestions are a bit more effective than Gordon Brown’s advice for people to draw the curtains,” adds Troester.

eGenie has estimated that an eight year old boiler which has not been serviced for the past three years could be 20 per cent less efficient than a regularly serviced boiler of similar age.

eGenie found that British attitudes to home maintenance fell well behind that of their German counterparts. The survey also found proper care of hot water pipes in UK homes was being ignored and has launched a campaign for householders not to lag behind with the lagging. Other simple measures include bleeding your radiators, topping up loft insulation, fixing dripping taps, installing an energy meter and fitting draught excluders.

eGenie.co.uk Top 10 Energy Saving Tips:
1. Service the boiler
2. Lag water pipes and tank
3. Block up unused fireplaces
4. Install cavity wall insulation
5. Put in double glazing
6. Bleed radiators
7. Top up loft insulation
8. Fix leaking taps
9. Install an energy meter
10. Fit draught excluders

Related categories:  Boilers - Domestic   Energy management   Insulation   Pipes - copper and other metal   Pipes - plastic   Residential applications   Services