Overview
- The Met Office forecasts widespread sub‑zero temperatures, prompting British Gas to anticipate a spike in heating and hot water failures.
- Customers with no heat or hot water are advised to call before 11am under an ‘11am rule’ that targets same‑day engineer visits.
- Engineers say frozen pipes are the most common issue, often the condensate pipe on modern boilers, which can be safely thawed with hot (not boiling) water and a boiler reset.
- If a burst is suspected, households should shut off the stopcock, open taps to drain the system, and keep the supply off until a qualified engineer inspects the damage.
- Prevention advice includes lagging outdoor pipework, bleeding radiators, reducing draughts, and keeping thermostats between 18°C and 21°C, with eligible customers able to seek help from the British Gas Energy Support Fund.