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.
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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.
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.
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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.”
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.
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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.”
"If I did that now, it would cost me £78 (AUD $137.68 or USD $91.08) just for two days.
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"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."
Charisa Bossinakis