Tag: heating

Tackling Frozen and Burst Pipes

The winter months often pose significant threat to heating and water systems, as extreme cold can lead to plumbing disasters.

As temperatures across the UK plummet, it’s important to know: When do pipes freeze, how can you keep it from happening, and who do you call when you have a burst pipe?

Here, Kevin Wellman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, answers some of the most commonly asked questions about frozen and burst pipes:

Why do pipes freeze?

Your pipes are likely to have some water in them, even if your taps aren’t turned on. When temperatures drop, the water within exposed or uninsulated pipework is susceptible to freezing. This could leave you without running water.

Why is it bad for pipes to freeze?

If pipes freeze, water supplies to taps, showers and toilet cisterns, or your boiler could be limited. Frozen water in the pipes may also lead to boiler damage, cracked or burst pipes, and substantial leaks. Damage caused by these can be incredible costly to put right. In fact, the average cost of remedying the impact of burst pipes in domestic properties was £9,300, according to 2021 statistics from the Association of British Insurers.

When should I be worried about pipes freezing?

Pipes are at risk of freezing when temperatures drop below 0°C.

How do you know if pipes are frozen?

Here are some of the warning signs that your pipework is frozen or burst:

  • Lack of water coming out of your taps
  • Central heating making a gurgling sound or in lockout
  • Your boiler won’t switch on
  • The toilet will not flush

Can pipes freeze in one night?

Yes, pipes can freeze in as little as six hours.

How do you keep your pipes from freezing?

To help avoid problems with freezing pipes, you should identify where your internal stopcock/stop-valve is and ensure it’s in working order – try to check it still functions every six months. Also, be sure to have regular boiler services. If you’ve not done so already, it’s a good idea to insulate all pipes in locations vulnerable to the cold, too.

If you have plans to leave your home unoccupied for a prolonged period, you may wish to turn off the water supply via your stop-valve as this will significantly reduce the risk of any pipes freezing. Open the taps and run off any remaining water. If you are able, try draining the pipes out to make sure they are completely empty. It is also recommended that repairs on dripping taps are prioritised because doing so will prevent ice forming.

Advice for those with a smart thermostat in their home is to use the anti-frost setting to prevent pipes from freezing. While we appreciate rising energy bills may deter you from putting your heating on, the cost of frozen pipes is significantly higher. Therefore, heating your home is a recommended investment for reducing the disruption, distress and expense that could be caused by freezing pipework this winter.

In addition, if your radiator valve has a snowflake symbol, this allows you to control the water temperature and flow. To prevent freezing, set it to a minimal flow between pipes and radiators.

How do I know if my boiler condensate pipe is frozen?

If you hear gurgling noises coming from your heating system and the boiler shuts down during freezing temperatures, it is possible that your condensate pipe has frozen. This is part of a failsafe mechanism to protect the boiler from water going back up the pipe and inside the boiler, causing damage to the electrics etc.

Look for a plastic pipe connected to your boiler that runs outside. If safe to do so, pour warm (not boiling) water along the pipe to gently thaw it. Reset your boiler and, if the pipe has been successfully defrosted, the boiler should start normally again. If you are unable to do any of this yourself, call a professional for adviceand assistance.

What should I do if my pipes freeze?

In the first instance, turn off your water mains using your stop-valve. The stop-valve regulates and controls the flow of mains water, allowing you to shut off the water for repairs or to avoid disasters. 

Then, locate the frozen pipe and thaw out pipes slowly. Only ever attempt to thaw pipes that are easily accessible and/or at ground level, and always start thawing at the end nearest the tap. Recommended methods include hot water bottles or towels soaked in hot water. 

You could also try wrapping heated cloths around the pipework. Be careful because even if water is flowing from taps, other parts of the system may still be frozen.

Avoid using boiling water for thawing as this can be problematic if there are splits in the pipe that you haven’t spotted – since they’re not always noticeable. 

Avoid using a naked flame as this could damage your pipes or start a fire from flammable material.

What should I do if my pipes burst? / What to do if you have a burst pipe?

In the instance of a burst pipe, once you have turned off the water supply, you should seek the assistance of a plumbing professional. 

Do not touch electrics if these have been affected by water and turn them off via the fuse box /consumer unit box.

There is also a higher risk of boiler damage if the boiler (or other heat source) is kept alight, so make sure to switch off electric immersion heaters etc.

What can cause a burst pipe?

When water freezes it expands and puts pressure on whatever is containing it. In this case, frozen water may cause the pipes to split or crack.

Can pipes freeze and not burst?

They can. Frozen pipes do not always burst, particularly if the expanding ice can push water out through an open tap. However, pipes freeze rapidly so the time between freezing and bursting can be very short.

What happens when a pipe bursts?

A burst pipe means the structural integrity of the pipe is lacking. Therefore, when the ice in the pipes thaws it is likely to leak through the cracks or splits.

What are the signs of a burst pipe?

The main sign of a burst pipes are puddles or damp patches. Small puddles could simply be a leak, whereas large pools of water in multiple areas usually indicates a burst pipe and possibly noisy from the pressure loss.

How serious is a burst pipe?

Leaks, puddles or flooding caused by burst pipes could lead to serious structural or electrical damage in your home. Unless they are remedied, leaks can also create breeding grounds for mould and mildew which can be a health risk.

Should I call a plumber if my pipes are frozen or burst?

Yes. In most cases you should consult with a professional plumber to tackle known burst or frozen pipes. Similarly, if you don’t know where the frozen pipes are or you can’t access the area but suspect that you may have frozen or burst pipes, it is best to call a plumber for assistance.

How do I find a good local plumber?

You can find a high quality heating and plumbing expert online via the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s find a plumber or heating engineer tool.

RWE and SGN announce green hydrogen partnership for Scotland

Supplying Scottish towns and rural communities with sustainable hydrogen gas will be the focus of a landmark partnership announced today between gas distribution company SGN and renewables generator RWE.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two companies to investigate the development of electrolysers, powered by RWE’s 10 onshore wind farms in Scotland which have a combined capacity of 213 megawatts, to supply homes and businesses with hydrogen gas via Scotland’s gas network.

Hydrogen has a crucial role to play in achieving net zero and is an essential component to decarbonise sectors like industry, heavy load transport, aviation and heat. Published in April 2022, the UK Government’s Energy Security Strategy doubled its ambition for low carbon hydrogen production capacity to 10GW by 2030. Similarly, the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Action Plan aims to create 5GW of hydrogen by 2030 and 25GW by 2045.

The partnership will investigate the decarbonisation of homes and businesses connected to the networks of Campbeltown, Stornoway, Oban, Thurso and Wick, which are not connected to the mains gas network.

These networks are currently supplied by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), which when swapped with hydrogen could save 21,000 tonnes of carbon each year and decarbonise around 9,500 properties.

The partnership will define how much hydrogen is needed, the requirements to convert these networks to hydrogen, and the supply of green electrolytic hydrogen from RWE’s renewable onshore wind farms nearby. In doing so, the project could also unlock onshore wind farm developments in grid-constrained* areas, by providing a use for the green electricity generated.

A feasibility study will also be conducted over the coming months into a 100-megawatt (MW) electrolyser at RWE’s Markinch CHP biomass plant.

This could produce green hydrogen from local and grid connected renewable energy, to connect into SGN’s gas network in Fife. It would build on the work SGN is already undertaking in Levenmouth on their world-first H100 Fife project.

Steve Boughton, RWE Director Hydrogen Development, said: “This MoU is a perfect partnership to develop options for the decarbonisation of domestic and business gas networks, and to help Government achieve its ambitions for 10GW of hydrogen production.

Hydrogen will play an essential role in the pathway to net zero, particularly in industry and homes which are hard to decarbonise, and RWE is perfectly positioned to support the development of the UK hydrogen economy.”

Fergus Tickell, SGN System Transformation and Business Development Lead, said: “We’re delighted to partner with RWE which shares our belief that hydrogen gas has a leading role in the decarbonisation of homes, businesses and industry in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“We’ll explore how hydrogen produced locally can be delivered through the world-class networks we’ve been operating for decades, to all of Scotland’s communities, including in Fife, Campbeltown, Stornoway, Oban, Thurso and Wick. We also look forward to investigating more opportunities across the UK.”

The knowledge and experience gained from these initial studies will enable a better understanding of the practicalities and economics of the entire hydrogen cycle and will be an important precursor to a potential funding application under the UK Government’s Net Zero Hydrogen Fund.

Port of Leith Housing Association: Fuel Support Fund now available

£33,000 funding secured from the Scottish Government to help with fuel poverty debts

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), in partnership with Changeworks, has secured £33,000 in funding from the Scottish Government and Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to support tenants with existing fuel poverty related debts.

The fund ensures we can support up to 50 households with this issue until the end of March 2022.

Currently, 21% of Edinburgh households live in fuel poverty, rising to 44% for social housing tenants. In Leith, 24% households live in material deprivation which has been further exacerbated by the pandemic.

Affordable Warmth Services Team Manager at Changeworks, Lisa Bygate, commented: “Through our work on the Link-Up Leith project we have seen increasing demand for support as people find themselves struggling with high bills and fuel debt.

“We are now seeing the highest incidences of households at risk of disconnection since the project started. This much welcomed funding will support people living on low incomes to have improved life skills and confidence to tackle fuel poverty issues themselves.

“We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with Port of Leith Housing Association to provide support to their tenants and Leith residents with energy debt. We will be working closely with their welfare rights staff and other members of the Link-Up Leith project to identify and provide assistance to those who need it.”

PoLHA Group Chief Executive, Heather Kiteley, said: “I’m thankful that we have secured this funding to help our community during this time of rapidly escalating fuel costs.

“We are committed to ensuring our tenants’ welfare and I’m proud that the PoLHA Group has been able to react so quickly to our tenants’ needs and provide vital support.”

Eligible tenants will be identified for this grant through PoLHA’s Tenant Advice Service and Changeworks existing Link-Up Leith project run in partnership with Edinburgh Community Food and Stepping Stones.

Changeworks will also identify people eligible for support through referrals to their Affordable Warmth Service.

How to apply

Tenants can apply for the fund by speaking to their Housing Officer or our Tenant Advice team who can make a referral to Changeworks.

Other services

PoLHA offers the following support services to social housing tenants: welfare benefits advice, money advice and tenancy sustainment advice.

Visit advice and support for help.

We’re dreaming of a warm Christmas!

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT BRITS WOULD FOREGO A WHITE CHRISTMAS AS ENERGY BILLS RISE 

  • Almost seven in 10 Britons (68 percent) hope for a white Christmas each year
  • However, 62 percent admit they would prefer a warmer Christmas this year if it meant they could save money on their heating bills
  • Almost three quarters (74 percent) will consider using the heating less during the festive season in order to save money

Ever since Bing Crosby hit the airwaves in 1942 with Irving Berlin’s nostalgic song, ‘White Christmas’, snow-laden vistas and frosted windows have defined the perfect festive setting for many of us.

Yet whilst almost seven in 10 Britons (68 percent) continue to hold out hope for a snowy Christmas, new research has revealed that 62% would actually prefer a warm Yuletide if it meant they could save on their dreaded winter heating bills this year.

The research by home heating expert Alpha Heating Innovation comes as the collapse of further energy firms is predicted for the coming weeks, following the 22 suppliers which have already folded since September 2021.

With the energy price cap now expected to rise by over 40% next April, the UK is bracing itself for an increase in household bills and looking for ways to conserve home running costs.

As a result, almost three quarters (74 percent) would consider using the heating less during the festive season in order to save money.

Darran Smith, Technical Manager for home heating expert, Alpha Heating Innovation, commented: “With gas prices set to radically increase in 2022 and fuel poverty likely to extend far beyond the four million households already struggling to pay their energy bills, it is little wonder that most of us would happily forego a white Christmas.

“We are urging households to consider ways of keeping their heating bills manageable over the festive period and look to establish some good home heating habits now before the price hikes arrive.”

When it comes to the nation’s Christmas finances, a warm home features in the top three items which UK households prioritise (38 percent), along with presents for friends and family (53 percent) and festive food (52 percent).

The top 10 things Brits prioritise financially over the Christmas period:

1.   Lovely presents for friends and family (53%)

2.   Festive food (52%)

3.   A warm home (38%)

4.   Trees and decorations (29%)

5.   Christmas lights (26%)

6.   Alcohol (24%)

7.   Posting gifts/cards (17%)

8.   Days out (14%)

9.   Nights out (13%)

10. Hosting Christmas parties (12%)

But there’s good news. Whilst gift budgets can be set and purse strings for food tightened, there are simple and efficient ways to save on heating bills without compromising on comfort.

Darran continues: “One of the best ways to heat your home economically is to learn how to control the settings of your heating system so it delivers the optimum temperature for your lifestyle and comfort level, while ensuring you only use the energy you need.

“Don’t waste energy on heating the whole house all night. If you have thermostatic radiator valves, turn them down or off in rooms that aren’t regularly used. Think about what room temperature you normally set and reduce it by just 1ºC – you won’t notice any difference but you can cut heating bills by up to £105 a year in a typical home.

“And finally, put on an extra layer such as that festive must-have: the Christmas jumper. Very simple; but it never fails to make a surprisingly big difference.”

For more practical tips on how to save on heating bills, visit:

Alpha Heating Innovation’s handy online guide.

For further information about Alpha Heating Innovation, visit:

alpha-innovation.co.uk.

Over £2.5 million for families of disabled children

Thousands of families of disabled children in Scotland have received an additional £200 to help heat their homes this winter.

More than 13,000 families of a disabled child, on the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for Children, have had a Child Winter Heating Assistance payment. These payments were made automatically using information provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.

As of Friday 11 December, a total of £2.5 million has been invested in Child Winter Heating Assistance payment.

Where a child has someone managing their benefits, Social Security Scotland has written to them to enable them to process this payment.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am delighted that we have successfully delivered our first disability benefit, the new Child Winter Heating Assistance.

“Getting this money to families as early as possible in the winter months will help them budget and balance the many financial pressures that they face at this time of year.  For families of the most seriously disabled children and young people, who may need to heat their homes for longer periods, this can bring even more pressure in what is already a challenging circumstance.

“We are committed to making sure that people get everything they are entitled to. I would encourage families who think that they should have received this support and who haven’t had a letter yet to get in touch.”

Samantha Jones, from Helensburgh, who received the Child Winter Heating Assistance for her two children, Darren and Jacob, said: “I was very happy to see that Social Security Scotland were issuing these payments for children across Scotland.

“This will be a very helpful payment especially at this time of year for families like ours, this will really help and benefit our family and it’s very much appreciated.

“Having the extra money to help with heating costs is one less financial pressure that we have to think about on top of the cost of Christmas.”

Background

  • a client will qualify for Child Winter Heating Assistance if they live in Scotland and were in receipt of the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for children on at least one day between 21 September 2020 to 27 September 2020
  • if a child has had their Disability Living Allowance highest rate care component award backdated to the Child Winter Heating Assistance qualifying week of 21 September 2020 to 27 September 2020 they need to contact Social Security Scotland to get their £200.
  • if a family believes that they are eligible for this payment and they haven’t had a letter or a payment, they should contact Social Security Scotland from Tuesday 15 December by calling the Freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222 or through web chat at mygov.scot/contact-social-security-scotland/
  • this is the first form of disability assistance to be introduced by the Scottish Government using its new social security powers.
  • financial support provided through the Child Winter Heating Assistance is in addition to the £100 COVID Winter Hardship Payment which will be made for each child and young person in receipt of Free School Meals on the basis of low income. These payments will be made by local authorities automatically for those eligible.
  • further information on this payment can be found at COVID winter hardship payment (£100 per child) – mygov.scot
  • further support for anyone concerned about fuel bills is available from Home Energy Scotland.  Home Energy Scotland are funded by the Scottish Government to provide free and impartial advice to help people to reduce their bills and to make homes warm and cheaper to heat.  They can also make referrals for further financial support, including the Warm Home Discount Scheme.  Anyone concerned about their bills can contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit their website at homeenergyscotland.org

Government agrees measures with energy industry to support vulnerable people

The UK Government has agreed new emergency measures with the energy industry to protect the domestic energy supply of those most in need during the disruption caused by COVID-19.

From today, customers with pre-payment meters who may not be able to add credit can speak to their supplier about options to keep them supplied. This will benefit over 4 million customers.

This could include nominating a third party for credit top ups, having a discretionary fund added to their credit, or being sent a pre-loaded top up card so that their supply is not interrupted.

More broadly, any energy customer in financial distress will also be supported by their supplier, which could include debt repayments and bill payments being reassessed, reduced or paused where necessary, while disconnection of credit meters will be completely suspended.

Secretary of State for Business and Energy, Alok Sharma, said: “While friends and family will play a role in helping people impacted by the Coronavirus, we recognise there will be many customers who will need additional support and reassurance, particularly those who are financially impacted or in vulnerable circumstances.

“The government has committed to do whatever it takes to get our nation through the impacts of this coronavirus pandemic. Today those most in need can rest assured that a secure supply of energy will continue to flow into their homes during this difficult time.”

The government and energy industry have agreed to prioritise those existing customers most in need, while identifying customers whose circumstances may have changed as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19.

Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, Dame Gillian Guy, said: “This is an uncertain time for many people. Energy suppliers need to play their part by communicating clearly and supporting their customers as much as possible.

“Keeping people on supply, making sure they have warm homes and don’t face additional financial or other stresses about their energy supply will be essential.

“Suppliers will need to put in place support measures for people on prepayment meters, people and families who need to self-isolate or take steps to reduce social contact, and people who may otherwise be in vulnerable situations.”

The measures set out and agreed will be implemented immediately by energy suppliers to alleviate pressure on energy customers.

Chief executive of Energy UK, Audrey Gallacher, said: “As providers of essential services and critical infrastructure, the energy industry has well-practised contingency plans in order to ensure the delivery of services and is working closely with the Government on a daily basis to ensure there is no disruption to the generation and supply of energy to customers during these extraordinary circumstances.

“The sector is very conscious of the potential consequences for customers confined to their homes for prolonged periods and in particular those customers in vulnerable circumstances or on prepayment meters who may need additional help. Suppliers will be doing all they can to identify such customers and provide additional support wherever possible.”

Ofgem will continue to ensure suppliers meet their regulatory obligations. However the government also recognises this will be a challenging time for many supply businesses.

The Chancellor has this week set out a package of targeted measures to support businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. This includes £330 billion for companies to access loans, a business rates holiday, and help for small firms without insurance. In addition, a new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is to be launched in days to support businesses access £1 billion of additional bank lending.

Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, David Smith, said: “These are unprecedented times but the energy industry is working hard to keep gas and electricity flowing, look after our vulnerable customers and keep customers and staff safe.

“The UK’s electricity and gas network is one of the most reliable in the world and over 36,000 employees are working flat out to continue to provide a safe and reliable supply of energy during this time.”

Customers that are unable to top up their pre-payment meter are advised to contact their supplier immediately to discuss how they can be kept on supply.

Ofgem recommends consumers leave the meter box unlocked if they need someone else to top up the meter. Smart meter customers should be able to top-up remotely, such as by phone, mobile application or online.

Natalie Hitchins, Head of Homes Products and Services, Which?, said: “Hardup energy customers will breathe a sigh of relief that these new emergency measures will protect them from steep bills and losing their energy supply during these uncertain times.

“If you are worried about your ability to pay your energy bill because of the impact of coronavirus on your circumstances, it’s important to talk to your supplier as soon as possible to discuss your situation and find out what kind of support they can offer you.”

The UK government is working in lock step with the Devolved Administrations, World Health Organization, and international partners to keep the whole of the UK safe. Its approach is clinically led, based on the expert advice of the UK’s Chief Medical Officer for England, the NHS and Public Health England.

Warmer homes? Send for the Q-Bots!

Q-Bot technology has recently been added to the range of energy efficiency measures offered under Warmer Homes Scotland – the Scottish Government’s national scheme for improving energy efficiency in homes who are in or at risk of fuel poverty.

The scheme’s Managing Agent, Warmworks Scotland, has now confirmed that the technology, a unique robot that is controlled via remote control, will be used to insulate the area underneath suspended timber floors, thus creating a warmer, more comfortable home, with fewer draughts, more even temperatures, and a reduced risk of damp or mould. Continue reading Warmer homes? Send for the Q-Bots!