A £35 energy gadget helped cut my bills by £145 a year – I really use my central heating a lot less
ENERGY savvy grandad Bob Dickman has used a cheap gadget to help reduce his gas and electricity bills by £150.
It’s just one of the measures that the dad of four has done on his home to help make it more energy efficient.
The 93-year-old who lives in a rural – and very remote – property in Cumbria, in the Lake District.
Bob told The Sun: “Around 11 years ago, I invested in a clever little excluder for my flue.
“This contraption has made a real difference as it means my home is a lot less draughty.”
Back in 2014, Bob paid around £25 for a rectangular 8-inch-by-20-inch Chimney Sheep. (This model retails at £35 today).
These “sheep” are made from a natural breathable wool. They allow air to pass through, but keep the heat in.
According to calculations by Liverpool University, in 2014, a Chimney Sheep would have saved a household £64 a year on their energy bills.
Further analysis by the university shows that at today’s rates, this figure would be closer to an average of £150 a year.
Based on this, over the 11 years that Bob has owned his excluder, he has saved at least £600 – and possibly closer to £1,000.
When Bob had the fireplace put in, he opted for a fairly wide design so that large logs would fit in.
He said: “It’s a Baxi-type fireplace, designed to maximise heat output out.
“I chose it because of its efficient heating capabilities, making it cost-effective.”
While Bob uses his fireplace a lot, when it’s not in use, he makes sure the Chimney Sheep is in place.
“The fire is in a big room, so when it’s not lit, it can get cold in there,” he said.
“By using the sheep, I can prevent heat loss up the flue.”
According to the energy-saving pensioner, there’s another big upside.
He said: “When the sheep is inserted, it’s really effective in stopping soot from being brought down the chimney in heavy rain or snow.”
Helpfully, the Chimney Sheep comes with a small “handle” attached.
Bob said: “This is an extremely useful reminder that the sheep is in the flue.
“I’m 93 years old and don’t want to find myself lighting a fire having forgotten that it’s in there.”
If you have any type of draught proofing in your chimney, it’s vital that you take this out first.
Prices for a “small” Chimney Sheep start from £20. Larger models will cost more.
Bob said: “After 11 years of use, I think my reliable little sheep might finally need renewing, but it’s done such a good job.
“As it’s saved me hundreds of pounds, I think that’s a very decent saving given the upfront cost.”
Energy costs are already high – and due to rise again from January – many households are going to struggle to pay their bills.
Following a recent announcement on the Energy Price Cap, the average annual dual fuel bill for those not on a fixed tariff will go up from £1,717 to £1738 in the New Year.
This will leave some with little choice but to hold off on heating their home in order to stay on budget.
Older people could find things especially hard over the next few months amid cuts to the £300 Winter Fuel payments.
Prior to relocating to Cumbria 30 years ago, he lived close to Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, where he worked for agricultural machinery manufacturer, Massey Ferguson, based in Coventry.
He has four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He said: “This property was the old schoolhouse.
“It was originally built in 1713, but then got moved to a new location in 1937 when the old location flooded.
“My home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen with an aga.
“Over the years, I’ve invested in a host of improvements, including loft insulation and double glazing.”
Other steps Bob takes to keep a lid on energy costs
While you’re thinking about blocking your chimney, it’s worth giving some attention to other areas of your home where heat may be escaping – just as Bob has.
He said: “Given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, it is more important than ever that we all find ways to keep costs down.
“This is especially important for pensioners right now given many older people risk missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment.”
If finances are stretched, you might want to focus on smaller steps to boost insulation which can be done on a tighter budget.
Bob said: “I’ve got heavier curtains on the windows, and draught excluders at the bottom of the doors.”
You can buy curtains from around £30 at Wilko, and excluders from around £15.
Better still, why not fashion your own? Simply place old towels at the bottom of doors, or stuff rags into the leg of an old pair of tights.
Bob is also a big fan of night storage heaters. These units contain an element designed to absorb large amounts of heat.
They use off-peak, cheaper electricity – often Economy 7 – to heat the element, before “releasing” this stored heat over the next day.
“These heaters can come in especially handy when the temperature drops unexpectedly as it often does in May,” said Bob.
“Rather than put the central heating on when it’s not winter, I can use the storage heater just as and when I need to – this helps to keep costs down.”
The money-saving whizz added: “I try to do everything I can to keep the property as warm and efficient as possible – on a budget.”
Bob's top energy-saving tips
Bob has shared his top energy-saving tips...
- Look into buying rugs to cover up gaps to help prevent warm air from escaping through the floor. You can get some nice rugs from Dunelm or Matalan for around £20.
- Remember to pull down blinds and close curtains as this will reduce your home’s heat loss – meaning you don’t have to spend as much on heating.
- Don’t forget that keyholes and letterboxes can also let chilly air in. Pick up some metal keyhole covers and a letterbox brush to keep the heat in and the cold air out.
- Consider buying a magnetic flap for your cat flap if you have one. This will solve the draught issue while still allowing your pet to come and go as it pleases.
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