A BRITISH Gas engineer has shared a must-have product to help fight damp and mould in your home this winter.
During the colder months, it is more common for households to face issues with mould as increased humidity and colder temperatures can lead to growth.
These can especially be the case if you do not turn your central heating on or dry your laundry inside.
This can lead to condensation on surfaces such as walls and windows, creating a breeding ground for mould.
Mould and damp can cost anywhere from £100- £5,000 to fix, according to Checkatrade.
But there are preventive measures you can take to ensure this does not happen.
The Sun spoke to Sunny Solanki, a British Gas service and repair engineer, who shared a cost-effective hack that many households are unaware of.
Sunny told readers they should consider investing in Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) – a product which can be found at most DIY stores.
These are a special type of radiator valve that help control the flow of water to your radiators.
When the room reaches the set temperature, it stops radiators from getting any hotter.
This is compared to manual radiators valves which only switch radiators on or off.
The 41-year-old said these are a good feature that “control the temperature of a room” not being used.
But Sunny said it is still important to keep these rooms in your home heated to “help prevent any damp and mould being created”.
The Sun found one of these devices for £9.99 on Screwfix but other makes can cost up to £50.
Shoppers have raved about the bargain product, describing it as “cheap, but effective”.
While another said it was “good as those double its price”.
If you are considering installing the device in your home, have a shop around and read reviews to ensure you are getting the best price.
These can be easy to install, but if you are not comfortable doing it yourself you can pay a qualified engineer or plumber to do it for you.
SUNNY’S TOP TIPS
SUNNY Solanki, a Leicester-based service and repair engineer at British Gas is sharing advice for households who want to prepare their homes for the weather and reduce the chance of a heating system breakdown
Optimize your thermostat: It can be tempting to crank up the thermostat on colder days, but what’s the right temperature? Set your main thermostat between 18°C and 21°C to save around 10% on your heating bills. For an average household, lowering the temperature by just one degree could save you about £115 a year.
Check boiler pressure: The first sign of a low-pressure boiler is if your heating or hot water isn’t working properly. But to find out for sure, check the water pressure gauge on the front on your boiler. This will be either a hydraulic dial or a digital reading. Ideally, the gauge should read between 1 and 1.5. But if it reads less than 1 bar, your boiler pressure is too low and needs re-pressurising
Bleed your radiators: Air can get trapped in the system, forming bubbles at the top of the radiators and reducing their efficiency. If you feel cold spots near the top, turn the radiators off and allow them to cool. Then, use a radiator key to open the valve at the top and release the trapped air.
He explained: “Thermostatic radiator valves are a simple and effective way to take more control over your heating and reduce energy use.
“Installing one is straightforward for most homeowners – in many cases you can unscrew your existing radiator valve and fit the new one in its place, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.”
It might be an idea to try out one of these devices in rooms that are at a greater risk of getting damp, such as bathrooms.
Sunny said having some heat in rooms “where there’s a lot moisture in the air” can help fight growth.
More heating hacks
And you don’t even need to spend money this winter to ensure your home stays heated and mould free.
Sunny said simple things like ensuring you don’t have large furniture such as wardrobes and sofas in front of your radiator.
He explained: “Allow that heat to actually come out from the radiator, otherwise it’s just heating those, those bits of furniture.”
Rising energy costs have meant that many people are worried about over spending on your bill.
Sunny said anywhere between 18 and 21 degrees is the most “cost effective and efficient way to keep your home warm”.
“I get that energy prices are difficult for a lot of people, but it’s important to then protect your home and your health,” he added.
Help if you are struggling
If you are worried about rising energy bills you can check out British Gas energy trust.
Struggling households can get up to £2,000 in debt relief help and you don’t even have to be a British Gas customer to apply.
Elsewhere, OVO energy is also giving away free electric blankets to help people stay warm without turning on the heating.
To check your entitlement, visit ovoenergy.com/extra-support.
Plus, if you claim certain benefits such as Universal Credit you can get a £150 discount of your energy bills through the Warm Home Discount scheme.
Pensioners will also start receiving a £300 winter fuel payment from November to help cover the cost of rising bills.
Also it may be worth getting in touch with your local council to see if they can offer you help through the Household Support Scheme.
For example, Homes in Staffordshire can get a one off £300 utility payment made direct to there provider via the scheme.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
