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For many people in the UK, energy bills are a huge stress. Over the past few years people have been paying more, especially during the winter, when more energy is needed to heat homes.
Because of this, the last thing anybody needs is any additional costs on top of already high bills.
But according to experts, there’s one very common ‘hidden’ problem that could be doing just that.
One boiler expert has lifted the lid on this issue and what homeowners can do to fix it, minimising the costs.
Boiler expert Gordon Wallis from Your NRG has revealed how limescale build-up within your home appliances can significantly increase energy bills and lead to unexpected repair costs.
According to the expert, it can end up costing 29 percent more to heat up your water in the kettle, washing machine and boiler if there’s excess limescale in those areas.
As it builds up in these everyday appliances, it makes them less efficient, meaning they have to use more energy in order to get the job done.
Boilers are a particularly big – and expensive – issue when it comes to limescale build up.
Gordon noted: “Boiler health is paramount in ensuring energy efficiency and avoiding costly breakdowns. With 90 percent of plumbers acknowledging the serious impact of hard water and limescale on boiler health, regular checks are imperative. An unexpected boiler breakdown could cost anything from £100 to £500 to resolve.”
However, households can ‘stay proactive’ and deal with limescale build-up quickly in order to avoid these expensive repairs.
Investing in water softening solutions or seeking professional assistance from plumbers can help minimise the effects of hard water on energy efficiency, and lower your bills.
Often, it’s hard water that causes limescale, which is a particularly big problem in certain areas of the UK. Water passing through chalk and limestone regions tends to have even more of these minerals, which can impact the efficiency of your home’s energy usage.
But there’s a simple fix – and it’s making sure to regularly give your household appliances a good clean. According to Gordon, you should focus on items such as kettles, irons, washing machines, dishwashers, showerheads, and taps, where limescale tends to build up.
He added: “Neglecting this maintenance can result in increased energy consumption and potential damage to plumbing equipment.”