British Gas urges 47,000 customers to act now before -16C cold snap

Nearly 50,000 people are expected to need help with heating and water this week, has warned, as UK temperatures plummet could plummet as low as -16C this week.

The has warned that temperatures are predicted to drop as low as -14C in the North of England and -12°C in parts of Scotland on Wednesday – and could drop as low as -16C on Thursday

British Gas estimates up to 47,000 people may require extra support based on historical call-out data during similar weather conditions.

can cause major home issues, such as frozen pipes and boiler breakdowns, leaving households without essential services. British Gas is urging households to act now to prevent problems.

Dinesh Kumar, a service and repair engineer at British Gas, said: “With temperatures plummeting and snow and ice hitting much of the UK, more people will be relying on their heating systems to keep them warm during the cold snap.

“It’s important to make sure central heating systems are running smoothly and are prepared to withstand the winter weather. Carefully checking and maintaining your pipes to prevent cracks or bursts is important, as it can often help avoid expensive repairs further down the line.

“Contact a qualified engineer if you run into any issues – we have nearly 6,500 engineers on hand to help.”

As British Gas urges households to act now, charities and experts are warning about the devastating impact of the cold on vulnerable households.

Research from Age UK shows a rising number of elderly people in Britain are not turning their heating on, and more than one million people aged 66 or over have been skipping meals.

Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK, said: “Living in a cold home is disastrous for your health as you get older.”

Adam Scorer, chief executive at , said: “While everyone should be able to be warm in their homes, sadly, we know that is not the reality for millions. The cold causes misery and ill health. It can, and it will, kill.

“With many already struggling with record levels of energy debt and higher energy bills, temperatures plummeting to well below zero makes this an exceptionally difficult time to keep warm. It makes it a public health emergency.

“Even heating just one room may be impossible. We hope people prioritise their health and try to heat at least one room – ideally to around 18 degrees. If you are still struggling, it’s important to reach out.”

Mr Scorer also advised households to seek support where possible. He said: “Your supplier or local authority could provide short-term help to keep your meter topped up. Blocking draughts in windows can also make a real difference.”

British Gas’s Dinesh Kumar shared top tips to help prepare homes for the snow:

1. Carefully check your pipes: Insulating pipes with affordable materials from a DIY store can prevent heat loss, helping to avoid expensive repairs. If you suspect your pipes might be frozen, slowly pour hot (but never boiling) water over the frozen pipe and place a hot water bottle over it to melt away the ice.

2. Bleed your radiators: Air can get trapped in the system, forming bubbles at the top of the radiators and reducing their efficiency. If you feel cold spots near the top, turn the radiators off and allow them to cool. Then, use a radiator key to open the valve at the top and release the trapped air.

3. Block out the cold: Checking your windows and doors are free from draughts could save you around £60 a year. Easy-to-apply self-adhesive foam strips around windows can help prevent cold air passing through, and draught excluders work wonders for gaps under doors.

4. Turn off radiators in unused rooms: To save money, avoid heating rooms you aren’t using. If you know a room won’t be in use, make sure to switch off the radiator and close the door to prevent cold air from moving through the rest of the house.

5. Optimise your thermostat: Set your main thermostat between 18C and 21C to save around 10% on your heating bills. For an average household, lowering the temperature by just one degree could save you about £115 a year.