FIGURES have revealed that with winter drawing near, as many as 16,351 households across the Malvern Hills are at risk losing around £50 pounds per year in wasted heat disappearing up unused chimneys in their property.
Statistics released today (Tuesday) show that on average, 80 cubic metres of precious warm air escapes each hour through a typical chimney when it is not in use.
Sally Phillips, managing director of Chimney Sheep Limited, who commissioned the analysis, said: “People often spend thousands of pounds on expensive measures to save energy and keep out draughts, including features like double glazing and cavity wall insulation.
“However, they often overlook the simple fact that an unused chimney is effectively a large hole in the roof.
“Blocking that hole has an instant effect.”
The figures are based on analysis which maps the Government’s estimate of the total number of houses across England with chimneys against the population in Worcestershire.
