Charisa Bossinakis
A single dad has been forced to insulate his freezing home with cardboard after his energy bills increased to more than £1,000-a-month (AUD $1,767 or USD $1,167).
Nigel Cleall, 51, who lives in a two-bedroom flat in Martley, Worcs, said he’s considering moving him and his 12-year-old son Oliver into the garden shed.
According to the father, the shed is warmer than his home.
But in an effort to get creative amid the skyrocketing energy bills, the lorry driver bought 100m of industrial packing cardboard for just £1 (AUD $1.77 or USD $1.17) off eBay.
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The single father was prompted to do so after the Platform Housing Association, who owns the flat, failed to fix his central heating and offer a solution for the father-of-one.
Now, Nigel’s walls and ceiling are not adequately insulated, making it nearly possible for the apartment to warm up.
Nigel said: "I'm basically heating Martley, when I put my heating on, it goes through the ceiling.
"The roof is over 27 years old.”
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He added that a thermal imaging camera showed that heat was ‘leaking out’ everywhere.
“The windows are 18 years old, the roof leaks when it rains and it’s so cold I have to wear a coat while I watch TV," he said.
Nigel, who has separated from his wife and lives with his young son Christopher, said he could not afford to put the heating on.
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He said: "Last year, I could only afford to put the heating on when my boys were coming down to stay with me.”
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"If I did that now, it would cost me £78 (AUD $137.68 or USD $91.08) just for two days.
"I can't afford nearly £200 (AUD $352.96 or USD $233.52-a-month on my electric, so basically we will be living in my front room.
"All I want is a comfy home for me and my son, Oliver.”
He continued: "I do everything by the book and you just don't get anywhere, it is just wrong."
Executive director at Platform Housing Group Dennis Evans said: "We are sorry to hear of Mr Cleall's concerns; we are pleased to report that a replacement bath is due to be installed later this month.”
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A replacement bath? That's about as useful as a white crayon right now.
They continued: "With regards to the customer's heating, we have no outstanding jobs at his home.
"However, we are due to attend a routine heating service as part of our yearly cycle.
"Earlier this month we also sent one of our surveyors to visit Mr Cleall to discuss his concerns."