Rochdale residents urged to get winter ready

Joanna Flowers, a British Gas engineer

With the weather in Rochdale forecast to drop below freezing this week, Joanna Flowers, a British Gas engineer who serves homes across Rochdale and the surrounding area, shares her top tips for how local residents can make sure their homes are ready for anything the weather might bring.  

Recent research suggests that a lack of knowledge could leave residents vulnerable to boiler or heating breakdowns. Although 88% of people across the North West are comfortable sorting out a blocked Netflix or email account, setting up a new phone or re-setting the WiFi, just 15% would know what to do in the event of a frozen pipe. 

Last winter, almost 4,000 homes in Rochdale experienced a boiler breakdown, leaving residents unable to heat their homes. During the Beast from the East, temperatures of below -10°C and wind speeds of over 60mph led to the busiest week on record for British Gas, with 104 calls for assistance coming in every second - thirteen times usual call volumes. Engineers across the country cancelled their holidays and stayed at home to be there for their customers. 

Joanna said: “Our research shows that having no heating or hot water during the colder months is people’s worst winter disaster in the home. There are some really simple steps people can take to help prepare your house for winter and keep everything running like clockwork, but if something does go wrong, we’re always on standby to come to the rescue.

“Here are some tips I’ve been sharing with my customers to help them keep a step ahead this winter.”  

1. Maximise the heat: There’s nothing better than settling down in front of your favourite box set as a family, but before you get too comfortable, think about where your heat sources are. Putting your sofa in front of a radiator may keep the best spot in the house extra toasty, but it will absorb heat that could be warming the rest of the room.

2. Look after your boiler: Stay ahead of the weather and make sure your boiler’s working properly before the first frost. 

3. Insulate your hot water system: Stopping heat from escaping doesn’t just save you money.  When temperatures drop below zero, it’s important to make sure that the water inside your pipes doesn’t freeze and cause them to burst. Lagging materials are available from most DIY stores – an easy, cost-effective solution for protecting your water tank and pipes.

4. Be energy smart: It’s inevitable that our energy use will increase when the heating’s on over winter, but there is a simple way to keep track of how much you’re using – and spending. With a smart meter, you can see how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence, helping you to identify where you can make savings during peak energy season.

5. Install a carbon monoxide detector: You can’t hear it, see it, taste it or smell it, and it kills around 30 people a year. Fortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable. Faulty central heating systems are one of the most common sources of carbon monoxide in the home - as well getting your boiler checked once a year, it’s essential to have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted. Available through British Gas or from your local DIY store, the detectors last between five and seven years, so check yours is in date and test it to be certain it’s working.