British Gas advises minimum heating temperature when leaving home

British Gas has advised households in the United Kingdom to keep their thermostats set between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius when leaving their homes to help prevent frozen pipes and property damage as winter temperatures approach.

The advice comes after temperatures dropped to as low as minus 6.5 degrees Celsius on Friday night, making it one of the coldest nights of autumn across much of the country, according to the Met Office.

The energy provider said keeping heating at a low level while away could help protect homes without unnecessarily increasing energy bills.

British Gas is also urging households to prepare their properties for winter by checking boilers, bleeding radiators, insulating pipes and clearing gutters.

Peter Knowles, a British Gas service and repair engineer, said carrying out basic maintenance before temperatures fall further could help prevent problems during winter.

The company recommends checking boiler pressure, which should generally remain between 1 and 1.5 bar. Households should also ensure that windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent heat from escaping.

Insulating water pipes is another important measure, as frozen pipes can cause significant damage when they burst.

The NHS recommends keeping indoor temperatures at least 18 degrees Celsius during winter, particularly for people who are older or have health conditions.

British Gas has also suggested using zonal heating to reduce energy consumption by heating only frequently used rooms rather than the entire house.

Meanwhile, household energy bills in the UK are forecast to rise by £276 a year from January, with higher gas prices linked to the ongoing Iran war.

The Met Office said the remainder of November was likely to bring changeable and unsettled weather, with further areas of low pressure moving in from the Atlantic.

Southern parts of the country could experience more rainfall than average, while conditions may become colder overall next month as pressure builds to the north of the UK.

The forecast also indicates an increased risk of winter hazards, including snow and ice, particularly in northern areas.

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