A mum from Yorkshire has gone viral after keeping her heating control panel ‘captive’ and taking it to work to prevent her children from changing the settings while she is away.

As the cost-of-living crisis takes hold of homeowners heading towards winter, with bills set to soar, people are coming up with money-saving tips and ways to reduce their energy use within their homes.

Some might look to change tariffs, curb the amount that they have their heating on, or switch off lights when they’re not using that room, but for one mum from Yorkshire, this has maybe gone a little far.

Emma Ford, from Selby, took to social media earlier this week to share her biggest life hack with her followers on a Facebook group.

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Taking to social media, the mum said: “To save money this winter I’ve taken the boiler control panel off the wall and I’m taking it out with me to stop the teenager and preteen having the house like a sauna.

"Don’t worry, though, they have oodies, onesies and fluffy dressing gowns to keep them warm.”

After posting the humorous piece online, many other social media users saw the funny side, while also sympathising with her – with the post so far racking up a whopping 8000 shares and plenty of reactions.

It also got the attention of money-conscious people, who identified with Emma.

In the comments section, one social media user wrote: “Back in the 90s my mum used to take the house phone with her to work to stop me running up the bill.”

Another added: “I love your solution to the issue – overcoming a challenge.”

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