Electrician shares most common customer queries - including 'where is the fuse box?'

An energy whizz has spilled the beans on the most frequent puzzlers he gets from customers – ranging from "where on earth is my fuse box?" to Brits scratching their heads over power cuts.

Tom Hicks, a seasoned pro with eight years under his belt, isn't alone in this; a recent poll of 4,000 adults revealed that a baffling one in 20 (6%) haven't got a clue where their fuse box is tucked away. Moreover, a sizeable 14% aren't sure how to operate it, even if they can locate it.

He's also swamped with questions from homeowners at a loss about where to find their energy meter. Not to mention, Tom is often the go-to guy for why certain gadgets keep causing electrical trips.

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On his rounds, Tom frequently uncovers issues needing urgent attention, like ancient wiring due for a refresh every 15 to 20 years, which he spots while carrying out visual safety inspections during smart meter installations.

His top tip for a blackout? First, switch off all your devices, peek at your fuse box to check for a trip, and if there's no joy, ask around to see if the neighbours are in the dark too.

Among other sage advice, he urges folks to have their boilers checked yearly and to ring up a gas safe boiler engineer pronto if you spot any fine sooting or odd marks on nearby walls.

Tom's half-year of rigorous training before he started fitting smart meters is put to the test daily, as customers lean on him for both safety tips and ways to cut down on energy use.

With 44% of adults surveyed turning to tradespeople when problems arise, even for the most basic tasks, seeking reassurance that everything remains secure (48%) – or simply because professionals will deliver superior results (65%).

Tom, who is collaborating with Smart Energy GB to emphasise the safety inspections carried out during smart meter installations, explained: "Safety should always be your number one priority when it comes to energy equipment at home.

"It's important to know what to look out for and make the most of the free checks and support available to households."

The research also revealed 26% of adults remain uncertain about the location of their stopcock. Meanwhile, a third are clueless about switching off their home's electricity supply, and 49% couldn't manage to bleed a radiator.

However, the study also showed 13% would 'never' attempt a DIY project they hadn't previously tackled, with plumbers, electricians and gas safe engineers being the most depended-upon professionals.

Additionally, Gen Z ranks only second-most likely to view 'how to' content on social media when approaching unfamiliar tasks (44%), trailing behind 49% of Millennials.

Conversely, those aged 65+ who handle their own home maintenance were least inclined to require professional assistance to complete jobs they'd begun themselves. Yet those aged 25-34 have generally needed to do this three times over the past two years.

The study, conducted through OnePoll, has uncovered that a staggering 62% of people are oblivious to the free advice available through a visual safety inspection of gas and electrical gear, which comes with the installation of a smart meter by a certified engineer.

TV star and culinary whiz Rustie Lee, famed for her stints on Celebrity Super Spa and Celebrity Mastermind, has joined forces with Smart Energy GB to recount her own tale of home improvements.

Rustie exclaimed: "I think I'm quite handy when it comes to fixing things at home and I'm proud to say I can rewire a plug!". And like many people, I also rely on an expert to do some jobs properly.

"But energy meters are not something I've ever really thought about, because they just sit in a cupboard out of sight.

"Since I found out that I get a free visual safety check when my smart meter is installed, it's made me realise that the equipment I have is probably quite old. Which could well be the case for others too, so getting it checked is probably a good idea!".

"Staying safe is important so I'm pleased to know I'll be getting a safety check to make sure the energy equipment I have at home is working as it should."

TOM HICKS' TOP TIPS: WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR AND WHEN TO CALL AN ENERGY EXPERT.

• Inspect your wiring - Wiring and fuse boxes typically need replacing every 15-20 years, yet it's not rare to find installations that are 30, 40 or even 50 years old still in use. If you notice any signs of overheating, strain on cables, electrical installation, charring, melting or exposed live contacts, it's time to call in a professional.
• Keep an eye out for soot - Boilers are a fantastic bit of kit, but they can malfunction, even with annual servicing. Many wouldn't realise there's a problem unless the boiler stops working altogether, but we look for subtle 'sooting' or unusual marks on the walls and flue that suggest gas spillage. If something doesn't seem right, ring up a Gas Safe boiler engineer.
• Meter movement - If you have an old-fashioned analogue gas meter and the dials are turning when all the gas appliances in the house are switched off—even if very slowly over time—it could indicate a gas leak. We refer to this as checking for creep. Those who struggle to access their meter can request their energy supplier to dispatch an engineer to read and check it. If you detect a gas smell, particularly if it's persistent indoors, immediately dial the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
• Power cuts – In the event of a power cut, your first step should be to switch off appliances and, if possible, inspect your fuse box to see if a fuse has tripped (turned off). If not, verify whether your neighbours still have electricity. If they're also affected, don't assume the experts have already been alerted—ring your Electricity Distribution Network Operator on 105. The sooner they're informed, the quicker they can assist.
• Bag a free visual safety check with a smart meter installation - Smart meters supersede your old analogue gas and electricity meter and are brilliant tools to help you keep tabs on your energy expenditure. But they also come with a complimentary visual safety check upon installation. It's a doddle to request one, simply get in touch with your energy provider, if you don't already have a smart meter.