With summer holiday season here, millions of Brits are preparing to pack their bags and head on holiday for a hard-earned break. Following a massive travel boom last year that saw an estimated 42 million UK adults jet off, a similar holiday rush is anticipated this summer.*

However, heating experts Glow-worm [https://tinyurl.com/beyvt4fz] are warning holidaymakers that skipping a simple ten-minute home check before leaving for the airport means your return from a dream getaway might not be as relaxing as you'd hoped.

To protect households from unexpected post-holiday costs as the peak travel rush begins, Glow-worm has issued a pre-travel checklist outlining four essential, quick tasks every traveller needs to tick off before they lock the front door.

The 10 Minute Pre-Travel Checklist

1. Hunt Down 'Energy Vampires'

Before locking the front door, unplug non-essential electronics. Everyday appliances like phone chargers, kettles, video game consoles, and air fryers draw power even when powered off or left on standby. Unplugging these ‘energy vampires’ not only shaves unwanted costs off your next utility bill but also eliminates the risk of electrical fires while the property is unoccupied.

2. Locate Your Stopcock

A major water leak can cause thousands of pounds in damage in just a few hours. Before you leave, locate your internal stopcock, usually found under the kitchen sink, in a utility space, or a downstairs bathroom, and make sure it turns easily. Knowing exactly where it is means you can quickly guide a trusted neighbour or family member to turn off the water mains if a plumbing emergency happens while you're away.

3. Check Your Home Insurance Cover

Before you enter holiday mode, double-check your home insurance documents to confirm your policy hasn’t expired or isn't set to lapse while you are away. Most standard policies will only cover a property if it is left unoccupied for up to 30 or 60 consecutive days. If your trip extends beyond this limit, you may need to inform your provider or secure a specialist policy extension to ensure you remain fully covered.

4. Activate Holiday Mode

If you're jetting off for more than a couple of weeks, switching your boiler completely off seems like an easy money saver. However, switching your boiler off all summer can cause internal valves and pumps to seize up, leading to a costly breakdown right when winter hits. If you do choose to turn it off at the mains, you will need someone to visit your property to turn it on periodically just to make sure everything is working as it should.

An easier, much safer solution is utilising smart heating controls. Upgrading to a smart thermostat [https://tinyurl.com/5zksknvz] allows homeowners to easily switch their system into a dedicated 'Holiday Mode' via an app. This leaves the boiler safely active but drops the home to a steady, low, energy-saving temperature while you are away. Best of all, you can use the app to trigger your normal schedule while waiting for your luggage at the airport, ensuring you return home to a ready house and a hot shower.

For more expert advice on preparing your heating system for a summer holidays, please visit here: [https://tinyurl.com/beyvt4fz]

ENDS

Notes to editors

An estimated 42 million UK adults - This stat was based on 77% of the UK adult population - *https://www.allianz-partners.com/en_UK/in-the-news/press-releases/brits-planning-to-holiday-in-the-uk-falls-by-21-percent-reveals-the-allianz-partners-survey.html

About Glow Worm

For over 90 years, Glow-worm has been providing Britain with reliable warmth and hot water, whenever it’s needed. Based in Belper, Derbyshire, we craft robust, efficient boilers and heating controls at our state-of-the-art production facilities, ensuring exceptional energy solutions that stand the test of time.

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