21 December 2023 , 09:30
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In the mad Christmas rush, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with your never-ending to-do list - but one job is vital to keep your home safe this festive season.
If you are leaving your home this Christmas period you still need to put the heating on if you don't want to come back to mould and damp or even a water pipe bursting, according to experts.
Mould thrives in damp, humid, and wet conditions when there is no ventilation. However, the pros understanably don't recommend leaving a window open the entire time you are away either.
Preventing problems like mould and damp means keeping your home as dry as possible and this is something many forget about in their festive haze each year. Unfortunately, this has the potential to cost you thousands of pounds in the New Year.
Forking out for mould and damp fixes first thing in January surely won't make for a happy New Year, especially as Checkstrade - a site which connects homeowners with approved local tradespeople - quotes having mould removed from your home at £30 an hour or up to £3,000 for a whole home.
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Leaks from burst or frozen water pipes cost on average £38,000 per claim according to the insurer LV, The Sun reports. James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder, told the publication that homes should be kept at least 14 to 15 degrees to keep mould and damp at bay. He said: "This kind of temperature will maintain a warm enough environment to help prevent areas of dampness or mould from surfacing."
Many households are worried about heating bills ths winter, but putting your central heating on a timer to run at points during the day while you're away is far less pricey than a bust pipe, or mould and damp. Running your heating on a standard boiler costs on average £1.68, if you put it on every day for a week for an hour, it would cost just under £12. Costs fluctuate depending on the size of your property and how energy efficient it is, if the property is older it's likely less energy efficient.
You can also manage your home from a distance with thermostat gadgets like Hive or Google Nest. They aren't cheap but in the long run they fare better than mould and damp or steep energy bills.