Desperate Dad 'Forced' To Insulate His Home With Cardboard To Avoid Huge Energy Bills

A single father's energy costs increased to almost £1,000 per month (AUD $1,767 or USD $1,167), forcing him to insulate his cold home with cardboard.

Living in a two-bedroom apartment in Martley, Worcestershire, Nigel Cleall, 51, said he's thinking about putting him and his son Oliver, 12, into the garden shed.

The father claims that the shed is warmer than his house.

Credit: SWNS

However, the lorry driver decided to be creative in an effort to combat the rising energy costs by purchasing 100m of industrial packing cardboard for just £1 (AUD $1.77 or USD $1.17) off eBay.

The Platform Housing Association, which owns the apartment, failed to replace the central heating and provide a solution for the single father, which forced him to act.

The fact that Nigel's walls and ceiling are currently insufficiently insulated makes it almost possible for the apartment to warm up.

Credit: SWNS

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.”

A thermal imaging camera, he continued, had revealed 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.

Credit: SWNS

Nigel, who lives with his young son Christopher and recently divorced his wife, claimed he could not afford to turn on the heating.

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.”

"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."

Dennis Evans, the Platform Housing Group's executive director, 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.”

A new bath? That is currently about as helpful as a white crayon.

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."