17th December 2013

PROTECT THE ELDERLY FROM THE COLD THIS WINTER – TURN UP THE GAS FIRE

With Christmas fast approaching and another cold snap on its way, more and more households will be reluctant to turn up the heating for fear of excessive fuel bills. Recent measures announced by the Energy and Climate Change Secretary to limit increases in household energy bills will provide few crumbs of comfort for the estimated 2.5 million people across the UK people who are already looking to take out a loan of some sort just to make sure they can cover their fuel bills this year, according to u.switch.com.

The elderly in particular are most at risk of fuel poverty this winter. As many face a choice between heating and eating, turning up the fire in the event of a cold snap is completely out of the question. With an estimated 31,000 deaths in England and Wales - most over the age of 75 - caused by the cold weather last Winter, it’s an issue that raises serious concerns.

Richard Beaman, Commercial Director of the Gas Fire Division, part of the GDC Group - the UK heating division of the multi-national Glen Dimplex Group, explains: “According to Age UK, more than three million older people are worried about staying warm indoors this winter - with six million anxious about rising fuel bills. The Government’s response to encourage homeowners to wrap up in jumpers and use electric blankets to keep warm is quite frankly not enough.”

Richard continues: “We want to reassure homeowners and the elderly in particular, that gas remains by far the cheapest fuel to run* and that gas fires are the most cost-efficient direct heating option available. Not only do gas fires offer warmth and visual comfort, they provide more than enough heat output to act as a primary source of heat for many living rooms.”

The elderly can also benefit from the heat of a gas fire in other ways too. In freezing winters, it is reassuring to know that they can rely on a gas fire, even if their boiler breaks down due to condensate freeze, for example, as they can stay safe and comfortable until everything is back up and running.

Richard concludes: “Despite the Government’s promises to restrict energy increases, homeowners still face exorbitant bills. As a result, many remain ignorant to the cost-efficiencies of running a gas fire and are reluctant to increase its usage during the colder months. It’s important that we all understand that a gas fire will not only provide affordable and effective warmth, it could help save lives,” stresses Richard.

The flame effect and authenticity provided by gas fires means they are still the number one choice for many homes, despite the advances in electric fires over recent years. The gas-guzzling decorative gas fires from the 1980’s are now a thing of the past. Thanks to developments in technology, gas fires today are capable of delivering heat efficiencies of up to 89% and heat outputs of up to 4.8kW.

There are an estimated 11 million homes in the UK with a chimney and a gas point, although the absence of a chimney no longer restricts the installation of a gas fire. This is due to the wealth of balanced flue models now available that simply require an outside wall for installation.

Gas is also clean and convenient with no ash residue and odours. It is never subject to disrupted power supplies, and with no complex electronics to worry about, maintenance is minimal. Natural gas is also one of the safest sources of energy, and homeowners can rest

assured that their gas fire has already obtained independent approval to qualify for CE marking.

-ENDS-

* Typically, 1kW of gas costs just 4.3p compared to nearly 13.5p for 1kW of electricity according to Sutherland Tables October ’13.

PHOTO-CAPTION:

Pictured below; just some of the many gas fires that offer homeowners high heat efficiencies and low running costs and a powerful weapon in the fight against fuel poverty.

PHOTO-CAPTION:

Pictured below; one of Valor’s best-selling and most energy efficient fires – the Masquerade High Efficiency gas fire. With a super heat efficiency of 89% and a heat output of 4.0kW, it is ideal for those rooms that require more heat.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

The Gas Fire Division is part of the GDC Group, that in turn is part of the leading multi-national Glen Dimplex Group. Incorporating three brands - Valor, Robinson Willey and Faber – it represents the largest and most powerful portfolio of gas fire names in the UK. Available via a nationwide network of retailers, the company offers a comprehensive range of fires available to suit all types of chimney.

PRESS CONTACT:

Julie A. Garrido

Wentworth Communications Ltd

Tel: 0161 973 6763 Fax: 0161 969 6813

Email: julie@wentworthcomms.co.uk

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