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As freezing weather hits
Southport, British Gas predicts a rise in household appliance breakdowns
WITH temperatures expected to dip
below freezing (-1 degree Celsius) this week, British Gas has predicted a
surge in engineer visits to repair broken boilers or fix issues with
appliances across Southport.
Across Merseyside the Home Services provider is predicting to visit more
than 1,600 homes to help people experiencing a problem with their household
appliances. UK calls are predicted to rise by over 22% (from 234,126 to
287,335) when compared to the same period last week.
To ensure it can meet this increased demand for support, British Gas has
upped the number of staff in its call Centres for the winter months and has
10,000 engineers ready to go out to customers who might be experiencing
difficulties.
British Gas has an in house meteorologist, whose role entails monitoring up
to 30 different weather stations across the UK and reviewing the number of
jobs British Gas has attended to in the past. By keeping an eye on sudden
changes it is possible to make sure there are engineers prepped and ready to
go out to customers as quickly as possible.
Peter Knowles, a British Gas engineer serving homes across Merseyside,
said:- "Our top priority is to keep our customers' homes warm, safe
and working during the winter months. As Southport prepares for a cold snap
and potential snow fall, we are on standby to reach customers' homes quickly
if anything goes wrong."
Practical advice....
1. Love your boiler - Check to make sure that your boiler is working
properly before the cold sets in. The older your boiler, the more
inefficient it will be. If you have a pressure gauge make sure the boiler is
at the right pressure and top up as necessary.
2. Bleed your radiators - to make sure they are working properly. If
your radiators have cold spots, this means you have air in the system, so
you will need to bleed them to get them working efficiently.
a. To do this, turn the system off and then turn the radiator key
until the air stops and water runs consistently. Once you have turned the
system back on, the problem should be solved.
b. Bleeding your radiator may result in pressure dropping. If you
have a pressure gauge make sure the boiler is at the right pressure and top
up as necessary.
3. Block the breeze - Make sure all of your home's windows and doors
seal properly to stop warm air escaping. For those that don't, fitting
draught excluders, which you can buy from most DIY stores, is a quick and
cheap way to cut down on your energy bills.
4. Save money on bills by insulating your home free of charge - If
your home is suitable, you could save your cash by getting your cavity walls
insulated and your loft insulated. Find out more
here.
To pick up some extra tips to help keep your home warm and working this
winter, click on
here. |
