British Gas reveals exact temperature to keep your thermostat at on Friday | Personal Finance | Finance
With UK households being urged to prepare for Storm Goretti and the Met Office issuing rare 13-hour amber weather warnings and power cut alerts, British Gas has shared some advice, revealing the exact temperature you need to keep your thermostat at on Friday. The energy giant revealed the key tip in a list of tips and tricks on how to avoid pipes freezing.
As temperatures plummet, some households may be reluctant to blast the heating due to rising energy bills, but British Gas has explained that households whose temperatures drop too low risk frozen pipes. Frozen pipes burst in cold climates as water expands as it freezes. Whether the pipe is strong enough to withstand the pressure without bursting comes down to the volume of water that’s frozen, the type, shape and age of the pipe, and whether corrosion was already present.
The energy provider said: “When it’s frosty outside, you need to make sure it doesn’t get too cold inside to stop your pipes from freezing. We recommend keeping your thermostat set to at least 7°C – even if you’re not at home.”
British Gas added a tip for those with pipes and tanks in unheated loft spaces, advising to open the hatch during icy weather to allow warm air from downstairs to rise and keep the chill off. They went on to explain, “If some of your pipes or tanks are inside cupboards, open the cupboard doors so the air from warmer parts of your home can circulate around them.”
Blocking out chilly breezes can also be done by keeping windows closed, sealing draughty edges and using draught excluders on doors.
Other tips to prevent frozen pipes include having your boiler serviced annually and insulating your pipes and water tanks with affordable pipe lagging and tank jackets, available from most DIY stores.
Fixing leaking taps was also listed as an essential tip, and the company warned households about listening to false information: “It’s a myth that leaving your tap dripping when it’s icy can stop your pipes from freezing up.”
The company advised that households must know where their stopcock is. “It’s essential that you know how to stop the water flow to your home in case your pipes freeze,” they explained.
Finally, households have been warned not to turn off the water if they are going away. British Gas said: “It’s worth turning your water off at the stopcock if you’re not going to be home for more than a few days. Once you’ve done that, it might even be worth draining the water in your system by running the taps until they’re empty. Just remember to close them again once you’ve finished.”
