Heating cover will ensure households stay warm this winter

The number of households that are without heating cover has risen to 65 per cent this year, according to research carried out by uSwitch.com.

Consumers could face substantial bills if something goes wrong and they don’t have insurance . If a boiler breaks down, it can cost up to £1,200 to replace four key parts however, there are some suppliers that will provide support for less than £10 a month.

While gas boilers should be serviced every year to check for poisonous carbon monoxide emissions, 42 per cent of households choose to disregard this industry advice. In the last year 14 people have died and 234 suffered illness after being exposed to the gas, reported the Gas Safe Register .

Will Marples, energy expert at uSwitch.com, explained: "Although budgets are stretched this year, in the long term it could cost you dearly not to have a plan from your provider."