With over six in ten households (64%) due to have switched their heating on new research shows why, as our boilers fire up, many of us risk a nasty surprise:
Boiler bother: two in ten households (22%) suffered a broken down boiler last year – average cost of repair was £314
Little over a third of households (36%) have boiler cover – the remainder run the risk of an unexpected bill if their boiler breaks down
Almost four in ten households (37%) without boiler cover can’t afford it – but 27% of all households say it is essential and 22% say that recent cold winters make it even more necessary
Boiler cover costs as little as £52 a year – offering a £262 saving compared to the average cost of repair.
As Britain braces itself for another winter, over six in ten households (64%) are already due to have switched their heating on. But new research from Uswitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, reveals that many will be leaving themselves at risk of running up a large repair bill, as little over a third (36%) have boiler cover in place.
With finances stretched, over a third of those without boiler cover (37%) say they can’t afford it. However, last year over two in ten households (22%) suffered a broken down boiler, leaving them out of pocket by £314 on average.
Over a quarter of all households (27%) say that boiler cover is essential, while 22% say that recent cold winters have made it more necessary. Little over one in ten (13%) think that boiler cover is unnecessary but, with budgets being squeezed, 34% think it is too expensive.
However, holding back because of cost backfired for many households last year and some are mindful that the last thing they need now is an unexpected bill. As a result, over a third of people (34%) considering taking out boiler cover are doing so because they wouldn’t be able to afford any nasty financial surprises this winter.
A third (33%) of those planning to take out cover are looking for peace of mind as they are worried that this winter will be another cold one, while over a quarter (27%) are worried that their boiler is old and more likely to breakdown.
With the cost of cover starting at £52 a year, or just over £4 a month, this could be a good option for those on a tight budget, offering a £262 saving compared to the average cost of repair. However, some cheaper cover carries an excess, which may be difficult for some households to pay, so consumers should be sure to read the small print before signing on the dotted line.
Tom Lyon, energy expert at Uswitch.com, says: “In these cash-strapped times, going without boiler cover can seem like an easy saving to make. However, it is a gamble which can leave you out of pocket if your boiler packs up and you don’t have money spare to pay for repairs. The average repair bill last year was £314 – if this would be difficult for you to find then boiler cover could give you peace of mind.
“If boiler cover is the right option for you then it is vital to shop around for the best deal. It’s important to note that some of the cheapest plans carry an excess. If this would be difficult for you to pay then you might be better off going for a slightly more expensive option that doesn’t have an excess. Prices and the level of cover can vary, with some suppliers also including an annual boiler safety inspection. It’s also important to note that you are not obliged to take boiler cover through your gas supplier – you really are free to shop around for the cover that best suits your needs.”
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HomeServe
|
Gas Boiler Breakdown Cover
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£52.32
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£4.36
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Unlimited
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Yes
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£50
|
£1,123
| |
British Gas
|
HomeCare 100™
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£108.00
|
£9
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Unlimited
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Yes
|
£99
|
£1,150
| |
npower
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Boiler care flexi
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£125.40
|
£10.45
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Unlimited
|
Yes
|
£50
|
£1,157
| |
ScottishPower
|
Home Comfort Standard Care
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£154.80
|
£12.90
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Unlimited
|
Yes
|
–
|
£1,170
|
Source: Uswitch.com. Prices and information correct as of 03/10/2013. All plans cover boiler and controls. Based on a 5 year old Baxi Gas combination boiler with no existing cover in Nottingham. The above is a snapshot of national suppliers – other plans are available from them and local and regional suppliers are available too.
Uswitch.com’s top heating cover tips
1) You don’t have to sign up for heating cover with your standard gas supplier, choose the most appropriate cover to suit your needs
2) An annual service and safety inspection helps reduce the chance of fatal carbon monoxide leaks and improves energy efficiency
3) Boilers that are not regularly serviced will produce less heat from the gas consumed, which in turn means they cost more to run
4) Often, a boiler will break down without warning. Sometimes when one part starts to go wrong other problems rapidly follow. Here are a few tell-tale signs to watch out for:
The radiators don’t get as hot as they should
It takes a long time to get hot water from the taps
Strange banging noises could mean trouble, so call for help straight away
5) To help prevent boiler bother, you can:
Make sure that you keep the whole area around the boiler clean
Have regular maintenance checks
Don’t overheat your home
6) Turning your central heating thermostat down by 1 degree Celsius could save you up to 10% on bills
7) Replacing an old conventional boiler with a high-efficiency condensing boiler will save you around a third on your heating bill, and up to 40% with the right heating controls
8) Carbon Monoxide is the ‘silent killer’ – poisoning can be avoided by ensuring that fuel-burning appliances have the correct level of ventilation. Never allow chimneys or air vents to become blocked. Have your appliances checked by a Gas Safe Register engineer once a year.
Notes to editors
Research in the notes below was conducted with the Uswitch.com Consumer Opinion Panel in September 2013 amongst 1,250 adults with bill paying responsibility for their household energy.
In response to: ‘When do you expect to turn your heating on?’ 36.1% answered “I already have” while 28.2% answered “By the start of October”. This adds up to 64.3%.
When asked: “Did your boiler break down last year”, 14.4% answered “yes, once”, 5.1% answered “yes, twice”, 1.8% answered “yes, three times” and 0.9% answered “yes, more than three times”. This means 22.2% of households suffered a boiler breakdown last year. Average cost of repair was £314.27.
When asked: “Do you have boiler cover?” 35.5% said ‘Yes’.
Of those without boiler cover, in response to: ‘Would you consider getting boiler cover this year?’
In response to: ‘Which of the following do you agree with?’
See table in release above.
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