Martin Lewis finally explains the best way to use your heating
Taking to Martin & Co, energy and heating expert, Peter Clayton at Trade Plumbing, explained: “The recommended temperature for a UK home at night is 18C, so whether you need to keep your heating on at night will depend on how well your property retains heat.
“A well-insulated, modern home should retain enough heat during the day to maintain a healthy temperature during the night, negating the need for heating.
“But an older home, which is less well-insulated, may require nighttime heating to maintain that ideal 18C temperature.”
The biggest risk to a property from not turning on the heating during winter is frozen pipes, according to the expert.
Because water expands when it freezes, pipes can end up bursting and flooding the home, causing major damage to the home.
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By using your heating system, even at a low temperature, the expert said you’ll help to stop pipework located in cold spaces from freezing.
The expert said: “It’s imperative to insulate your pipes to prevent them from freezing during the winter months, especially in cold areas of the home like garages and lofts.
“Luckily it is a simple and pain-free task. Simply get some foam pipe sleeves, cut to the correct length and then make another slit down one side of the foam. Next, slip the foam onto the appropriate pipes and use an adjustable zip tie to keep the foam secured.
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“If it is particularly cold and you’re worried about your pipes freezing, make sure to turn your taps on and off regularly.
“This will help to keep your pipes at a reasonable temperature and prevent them from freezing.” However, if you do find that pipes in the home do end up freezing for whatever reason, Peter shared some advice on what to do.
Start by locating which pipes are frozen, and they’ll usually be in a cold area of the home such as the loft.
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Britons will need to slowly heat up the area in order to thaw the pipe, which can be done by using an electric heater in the location of the frozen pipe.
The heating expert noted: “By slowly heating the space it should thaw the pipe. This can be time-consuming so be patient. It is also possible to heat the pipe more directly using a heat source like a hairdryer, however, do not heat too close as this can result in damage.
“Never use boiling water or a direct flame to heat pipes. This can result in damage and can be extremely dangerous as your pipe may burst. If you are unable to safely thaw your pipe then make sure to enlist professional help.”
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