Concern people in Teesside can only afford to heat one room at home
New research says people are looking to save on their heating bills
Last updated 28th Nov 2023
New research suggests more people in Teesside are living in just one room to try and save on their heating bills.
It is thought many are still trying to pay off thousands of pounds worth of charges from last year.
Ruth Shaw, Director of RTS Heating and Plumbing in Darlington, said: "Each day I have calls from people who struggling with this. Close members of my family are still paying fuel bills of £3,000 from last year. There's an increase in sales of hot water bottles which says a lot as well.
"I had a young lady ring up with a very young baby. She'd spoken to one company who were going to charge her £120 for a call-out fee. Her boiler had gone off, she couldn't afford the £120 so she rang me afterwards in a real panic. She was literally crying. In a nutshell, she just needed to reset the boiler.
"I'm talking to people that can't even afford to get their boiler repaired, can't afford to put the heating on at all nevermind heating one room. Although gas is considered to be the most economical way of heating your home, people are turning to other alternatives like electric heaters and pellet burning stoves to consider reducing their bills."
Gas Safe Register research
The research says the burden is leading over 10 million people across the UK to consider only heating one room in their homes at any one time this winter, with the latest data revealing more than a third of Brits cannot afford to heat their entire home to a comfortable level when it is cold outside.
Despite a fall in October, forecasts from analysts suggest domestic energy bills could go up again in January, with calls for more financial support on energy bills for the most vulnerable.
The figures by Gas Safe Register show 15 million Brits, will spend most of their time in that one room, eating, sleeping and socialising in the warmth whilst the rest of their house stays cold and dark.
With 4.5 million households planning to heat one room by using a gas fire this winter, there’s fears of carbon monoxide poisoning with the latest inspection data estimating that 1 in 2 UK homes contains a potentially faulty or unsafe gas fire.
As poorly ventilated gas fireplaces are often the common culprit for carbon monoxide poisoning, gas safe experts are alerting Brits to the dangers of the lack of ventilation and air flow when it comes to heating one room of their homes in this manner.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly and is especially dangerous as it cannot be seen, tasted or smelt, and some symptoms mimic the effects of a virus and even a bad hangover.
For more advice, visit the Check A Trade website or the Moneysupermarket website.