Boiler bother leaves householders facing £314 bill

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."

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:
 
a. The radiators don't get as hot as they should
 
b. It takes a long time to get hot water from the taps
 
c. Strange banging noises could mean trouble, so call for help straight away
 
5 To help prevent boiler bother, you can:
 
a. Make sure that you keep the whole area around the boiler clean
 
b. Have regular maintenance checks
 
c. 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.