COLD weather can wreak havoc with our heating and plumbing at home.
Calling out an emergency engineer can be a big hit to your budget — but many small issues can be solved without getting a professional in.
Here’s what you need to know . . .
CHECK THE BASICS: If your heating has suddenly packed up, there are some simple checks you can do yourself before calling an expert, according to British Gas service and repair engineer Joanna Flowers.
First, make sure the gas, electric and water supply is turned on. If you have a room thermostat it should be turned up and the clock timer on.
If there has been a power cut recently, your heating timer might have returned to its factory settings, so you will need to reset it.
READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS
SUN SAVERS
Four ways to save money and the planet when getting your kid a Halloween costume
SUN SAVERS
Three savvy ways to save big before Christmas with carefully timed purchases
PRESSURE POINT: The boiler could also cut out if you have low water pressure but the good news is that it’s usually easy to fix.
Look at the pressure gauge on the front of your boiler. If it’s below one bar, the pressure is too low.
The process is usually similar across models, but always check your boiler’s manual before you begin.
You will need to switch off the boiler and let it cool. Then you can open the valves until the gauge is sitting between one and one-and-a-half.
PIPE PEACE: If it’s been very cold, frozen pipes can cause an issue.
Joanna says: “If you have a modern condensing boiler and find a frozen condensate pipe (this will be a plastic pipe that comes out of your boiler), slowly pour hot — but never boiling — water over it and place a hot water bottle over it to help melt away the ice.
“Once thawed, reset the boiler. It should fire up normally if the frozen pipe was the issue.”
Wrapping pipes with insulation from a DIY store can help stop them freezing in the first place.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
Deal of the day
NOW is the time to stock up on luxury beauty buys at a discount.
The Clinique party-ready gift set includes facial soap, moisturising cream, lipstick and mascara, and it’s reduced from £176 to £65 at John Lewis.
SAVE: £111
Cheap treat
SMELL lovely on the go with Impulse Very Pink body spray, £1, from Superdrug.
What’s new?
MAKE a warming treat at home with Tesco’s new Belgian hot chocolate flakes – in both black forest and salted caramel and white chocolate flavours, £5.75.
Top swap
PUT some extra style in your step with the Spezial shoes, £90 from adidas.co.uk.
Or hotfoot it to Peacocks and pick up its similar retro-style trainers for £20.
SAVE: £70
Little helper
ALL this month at Asda, get ten per cent back in your Rewards Cashpot on all fresh produce products in-store.
Shop & save
ADD this side table to your home set-up to easily serve drinks and snacks. It’s down from £25 to £17.50 at Dunelm.
SAVE: £7.50
Hot right now
JOIN the Zillionaires loyalty scheme at Zizzi and get 30 per cent off food until Jan 30. All day Monday to Friday, and from 5pm on Sundays.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!