Tips, Advice & Home Guides
Helpful information for homeowners across Kent.
How to improve your home's energy efficiency
Heating accounts for more than half of what a typical UK household spends on energy. The good news is that a few changes, many of them free, can make a real difference to your bills and comfort.
Quick wins you can do today
- Turn the thermostat down by 1°C. Most homes are comfortable at 18–21°C, and every degree lower can cut heating costs noticeably.
- Bleed your radiators. If the top of a radiator is cold, trapped air is stopping it heating properly. Use a radiator key with the heating off and a cloth to catch drips.
- Use heating controls properly. Set a timer so the heating comes on shortly before you need it, and use thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to keep unused rooms cooler.
- Stop draughts. Draught-proofing strips for doors and windows, letterbox brushes and chimney balloons are cheap and easy to fit.
Bigger improvements
- Loft insulation topped up to around 270mm.
- Cavity wall insulation, if your home has unfilled cavity walls.
- A smart thermostat, which learns your routine and can be controlled from your phone.
- Replacing an old, inefficient boiler with a modern A-rated condensing boiler.
Thinking about a smart thermostat or new boiler? Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a local heating engineer.
What to do if you have a leaking pipe
A leaking or burst pipe can cause a lot of damage in a short time. Acting quickly keeps the damage, and the repair bill, as small as possible.
1. Turn off the water
Find your internal stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink, near the front door or in a downstairs toilet) and turn it clockwise to shut off the mains water supply.
2. Switch off electrics near the leak
If water is near sockets, light fittings or your consumer unit, switch off the electricity at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so. Never touch electrics with wet hands.
3. Drain the system
Turn on your cold taps to drain the remaining water, and flush toilets. Switch off your boiler or immersion heater, then run the hot taps too.
4. Contain the water
Use buckets and towels to catch water, move valuables out of the way and, for small leaks, wrap the pipe tightly with a towel or pipe repair tape as a temporary fix.
5. Get a plumber
Choose “Leak or burst pipe” and “As soon as possible” in our enquiry form, or call us on 01322 94 94 29. Take photos of the damage for your insurer. See also our page on finding a local plumber.
Boiler servicing – why it's important
An annual boiler service is one of the simplest ways to keep your home safe, avoid breakdowns in the middle of winter and keep your heating running efficiently.
Why service your boiler every year?
- Safety. A Gas Safe registered engineer checks for gas leaks and makes sure the boiler is burning correctly, protecting you from carbon monoxide.
- Efficiency. A well-maintained boiler uses less gas to heat your home.
- Fewer breakdowns. Small problems are spotted early, before they become expensive repairs.
- Warranty. Most manufacturers require an annual service to keep the warranty valid.
What happens during a service?
The engineer will visually inspect the boiler and flue, check gas pressure and flow, test safety devices, clean key components where needed, and analyse the flue gases. You'll get a record of the service when they finish.
Warning signs to look out for
- Yellow or orange flame instead of blue
- Black marks or soot around the boiler
- Pressure that keeps dropping
- Strange banging, gurgling or whistling noises
Make sure you also have a working carbon monoxide alarm. Need a service? Book through our enquiry form or read more about finding a local heating engineer.
Need a hand with a job?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a trusted local professional.
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