I came up with an unusual way to stay warm for free – some think it’s weird but I never turn the heating on
A CHEF has come up with a novel way to heat his restaurant, saying although people think it’s weird he never turns the heating on.
Simon Morrice, of Histon Smokehouse, three miles north of Cambridge, said he has found a way of recycling heat from the kitchen, into the dining area after his energy bills rocketed up.
In September he received a gas and electric bill for £6,000 amid rising prices and the cost of living crisis.
It compares with bills of £1,300 each month just a few years ago.
Simon said he needed to take action to “survive the winter” and began to think of novel ways to reduce his bills.
He said: "We've had to take drastic measures because we can't really have the heating on.
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"And it's a hundred-seater restaurant so we need a lot of heat. We've been having all these weird and wacky ideas and found one that seems really effective. It's saving us a lot of money."
Simon’s recycling system uses the heat from the hot cupboards in the kitchen, which is used to keep the plates warm, and funnels it into the dining room.
Earlier this month he got a handyman to install a 20-foot duct pipe from the kitchen to the ceiling of the main seating area in the restaurant.
The heat travels along the pipe before being fanned around the room.
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Simon said the hot cupboards generate around 75C heat, which cools to a more comfortable level by the time it reaches the diners.
He said: "It may not be glamorous, but it will keep guests nice and cosy throughout the coming winter months, and we hope it will help us to continue to do so for a long time to come."
Simon added that although his idea won't work for every restaurant, it may also help other businesses with similar layouts survive spiralling energy costs.
People are warned though not to start playing around with their own heating system and should always consult an expert and should always employ a qualified person for undertaking any alterations.
It comes after a retired couple came up with an ingenuous way to keep their house warm.
BE AWARE OF THE DANGERS
London Fire Brigade issued an urgent safety warning earlier this year over fears that more people will turn to alternative cheaper fuel methods as cost-of-living pressures deepen.
It said in 2021, there were a total of 256 heating related fires across London.
Three people sadly died in a heating related fire and 35 people were injured.
So far this year the Brigade has attended 148 of these types of fire, with most taking place during colder months.
It warned people to take extra care if they use portable heaters, wood burners or open fires this autumn.
Firefighters are reminding people to make sure they keep heaters well away from bedding and furniture in order to keep warm safely.
In April, a woman died in Edgeware after an electric heater got caught under a recliner chair.
London Fire Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety Charlie Pugsley said: “Fire caused by heaters, open fires and electrical items can be very intense and spread very quickly. There is a risk that some people, in a bid not to pay more, may end up paying an even higher price – through a fire that causes them serious injury or even costs them their life.
“We know that people may want to use portable heaters to heat just one room, or run their dishwashers and washing machines overnight to take advantage of cheaper electricity costs.
“These types of appliances do come with a potential fire risk so we would encourage people to use them safely, ensure they are safety registered, have working smoke alarms fitted throughout their home and know their exit plan in the event of a fire, particularly at night.”
Michael and Teresa Lye’s home in Bromley, South East London is nearly all covered in a climbing plant.
A thrifty mum has also revealed her top tips to save money after her energy bills increased to £200 a month.
TikToker , regularly shares her many tips and tricks on staying warm without central heating.
After living in a house with no heating for four years, Klaire has become a bit of a pro at keeping warm and has shared her tricks on social media to help others.
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British Gas engineer Sunny Solanky has also shared his top tips, saying that putting the heating on is one of the biggest drains on your energy bill, but a number of radiator tricks could help keep costs under control.
His tips could help save you hundreds of pounds from fitting foil behind your radiator to fitting thermostatic radiator valves.
