I’m a British Gas Engineer: the £2 tool that slashed your energy bills by £600 this winter.

A BRITISH gas engineer has shared a cheap product that can save your boiler from breaking down this winter.

During the winter months, you may find that your boiler is more prone to problems due to increased use and colder weather causing parts of the boiler to contract.

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This includes your boiler pipes which are at risk of freezing as temperatures drop.

If this happens it can mean you are left without hot water or central heating and if left unchecked it can lead to pipes cracking or bursting.

Fixing a problem like this can cost between £150 and £600 – but there are preventative measures you can take to ensure it doesn’t happen.

The Sun spoke to Sunny Solanki, a British Gas service and repair engineer, who shared a cost-effective hack that many households are unaware of.

Sunny told Sun readers they should consider investing in pipe insulation coating, a product that can be found at most home improvement and hardware stores.

The casing is made of many different materials, including polyethylene foam, wool, or fiberglass.

You can wrap it around your pipes, this reduces heat loss and prevents pipes from freezing.

The forty-year-old explains that you can keep the scarf “all year round”.

He added: “(The product) sticks to (your boiler) and can prevent pipes from freezing.

“It’s cheap (and) you can get it at most home improvement stores.”

The Sun found a meter of heat-insulating film for £1.97 on the B&Q website.

The product received rave reviews, with one buyer saying it was “exactly what they needed” to stop their pipes from freezing.

Screwfix also sells spiral insulation for £3.18, which customers have described as ‘easy to use’.

Sunny said the wrap is easy to install, but if someone is unsteady on their feet, they should ask for help.

He added: “We don’t want anyone who’s not very stable or upright, climbing ladders and doing things they’re not comfortable with.”

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO STOP PIPE FREEZING?

If you find that your pipes are frozen, Sunny explained that pouring hot water over the pipes can help the defrosting process.

However, the expert explained that it should not be heated or boiled.

He even suggested using a hot water bottle to help “slowly” thaw the pipes.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BOILER BREAKS

If you suspect your boiler is broken, it is important that you contact a qualified professional to avoid any further complications or harm to you or others.

It is important that you call an engineer and ensure they are gas safety registered before carrying out any work on your home.

You can find a qualified engineer by visiting the Gas Safety Register online at https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer-or-check-the-register/.

The Gas Safety Register also recommends getting a quote from at least two out of three different companies before making your choice.

The group said you will need to provide details of the work to be carried out and the location of your boiler within the property.

It is also recommended to see if these companies can provide references from previous clients.

Consumer expert Martyn James recommends not waiting for an emergency before contacting a specialist.

He said: “Don’t wait for an emergency. Consult the best specialists in the field and find out what their intervention prices are as well as their online reviews.

“Call them and establish a relationship in advance.”

CAN YOU GET A BOILER FOR FREE?

Buying a new boiler can cost between £1,000 and £3,500, British Gas estimates, depending on the model.

And even paying for a repair can cost between £100 and £500.

However, some households may be eligible for grants or gifts to help them replace their boilers in the event of a breakdown.

One example is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, launched by the government to help households replace fossil fuel heating systems with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

To benefit from this program, you must own the property you wish to improve.

You must find an MCS certified installer to claim the grant on your behalf.

MCS is the certification system for installers of energy-efficient products.

You can find the ones closest to you by visiting www.mcscertified.com/find-an-installer, but it’s worth purchasing a few quotes.

The Sun has previously explained how you can get up to £7,500 off a new boiler, which you can read about here.