Avoidable ‘cash leaks’ are costing homeowners on average £1,885. Failing to carry out essential home maintenance jobs that are typically prioritised for the spring months, means that UK households are losing an additional estimated £6.8bn unnecessarily.
The new research from Gas Safe Register – the UK’s official registration body for gas engineers and gas businesses has revealed that due to the current cost-of-living squeeze more than 1 in 4 are trying to avoid spending money on fixing, or servicing and safety checking any of their household appliances until the worst happens and they are no longer able to use them.
Top of the list was fixing a leaking toilet (25%) which, according to Checkatrade, can cost £40-£60 per hour to repair versus an emergency call out fee of £100-120 – but could lead to a devastating £2,000 on average, if the leak is major and you need water extracting from your home. This was followed by having gas appliances serviced and safety checked annually (21%) – and estimates from the experts at Checkatrade reveal the potential costs of leaving these and more issues unchecked, with the average cost estimated at £100 now vs. more than £400 further down the line, and clearing damp or mould (19%) (£225 to draught proof windows and doors now vs. £850 on average if damp proofing is finally required). Checking the roof for loose tiles (19%) and leaking taps (19%) made up the top five with costs going from £300 to more than £7,500 and £0 to up to £1,500 respectively.
For over 15% of Brits who have experienced the ‘cash leaks’ in the home, they have been left out of pocket by more than £5,000.
TV financial expert Emmanuel Asuquo said: “More than ever, people are looking for ways to save money with the ongoing cost of living crisis, and there are definitely quick and easy ways to do this – from reducing your gas and electricity consumption to thinking smart when it comes to food shopping. But, avoiding tackling regular home maintenance jobs really can turn out to be a false economy, costing homeowners so much more in the long run.
“One thing we tackled at our house when we moved in two years ago, was getting our gas boiler safety and serviced checked straight away. Once we had a Gas Safe Registered engineer carry out the necessary checks, the results were instant – our house now heats up much quicker and stays warmer for longer, so we don’t need the heating on all the time. The engineer advised us to turn down our boiler thermostat, and it meant that our gas and electricity bill went down by 20 per cent!
“I’ve teamed up with Gas Safe Register to help households to be confident with the simple ways in which they can save money around the home – and by following all the tips to avoid ‘cash leaks’ in your home this spring, you can accumulate savings of £495 a year in household cash – more than enough to cover your annual gas safety check, which is in average between £80-£100. The costs can be high if repairs or replacements are needed, but you can’t put a price on the health and safety of your loved ones.”
Rob Denman, Head of Professional and Field Services at Gas Safe Register, said: “With the cost of living rising across the country, including higher energy bills, there is no denying that we’re all feeling the financial squeeze. But, much like with our health, prevention is better than cure when it comes to gas safety and keeping you covered for the unexpected.
“Boilers are among one of the most important appliances within our homes, as it keeps our water hot and our homes warm when it’s most needed – so it’s important that we stay on top of their upkeep. A regularly serviced boiler not only keeps it working efficiently, helping reduce bills, but can also reduce the risk of gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning – keeping you and your loved ones safe.
“Many engineers get busier in the autumn and winter months when central heating within homes is turned on, and at a time when badly maintained boilers throw up problems. By booking in your annual boiler service now, to detect early signs of wear and tear, replace any faulty parts and help keep it well maintained before it will be in increased use again this autumn, you can minimise disruption to your household.
“That’s why we want to encourage homeowners to adopt a routine of keeping on top of home maintenance, including ensuring they have peace of mind by considering booking their annual boiler service with a Gas Safe registered engineer.”
Mike Fairman, CEO at Checkatrade, said: “The winter can take its toll on our homes, from cracked brickwork to broken fences and even damp walls. With the weather warming up, spring is the perfect time to tackle these and not leave minor issues until it’s too late, particularly when it comes to gas safety appliances. Our platform has thousands of experts with a wealth of experience who can support with everything from gas boiler checks to unclogging gutters and more. Plus, jobs booked through Checkatrade are guaranteed for up to £1,000 for 12 months, meaning there’s no better time to book in a tradesperson.”
Emmanuel Asuquo and Gas Safe Register’s top tips for avoiding ‘Cash Leaks’ in the home this spring:
- Switch to frozen food: A good way to save money and cut down your food bill is to switch to frozen foods like fruit and vegetables, it avoids wastage and has a longer shelf life than fresh food. You could save up to £80 a year.
- Get organised: Planning your meals in advance can save you up to £200 a year. Not only can planning your meals save you money, asking your child/children to help plan can make them feel involved, teach them about the value of food and it means that everyone is on the same page. This will ensure that there is no extra spending during the week and less waste. WIN WIN.
- Get an annual gas safety check and service: A regularly serviced boiler means it will run more efficiently, helping to save on bills, but can also reduce the risk of gas leaks and carbon monoxide leaks – keeping you and your loved ones safe. Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix & service your gas appliance at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
- Turn off standby: You can save around £65 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode. In our home, we have turned it into a game with our kids to see how many they remember to switch off.
- Ditch the tumble dryer: Dry clothes on racks inside where possible, or outside in warmer weather. Ditching a tumble dryer can save you around £70 a year.
- Turn the tap off: Don’t leave the tap running when you’re brushing your teeth or washing dishes (use a washing up bowl). This can reduce your water usage and save you around £80 a year for a family of 4.
- Load up: Try and do a big load of laundry (combine your laundry) every time you have to do a wash rather than small loads frequently.
- Ditch the bath: Encourage your household to take showers rather than baths - this can drastically reduce your water usage. We have a timer set for 5 mins to make sure the kids don’t spend too long in the shower.
