British Gas has issued an urgent warning to tens of thousands of households as the UK braces for a sharp Arctic blast that is expected to push temperatures well below freezing next week.
The energy supplier says around 54,000 homes could be affected by heating and hot water problems, with frozen pipes likely to be the biggest cause as the country enters a cold start to 2026, following a record-breaking mild December.
Why is British Gas raising concerns now?
British Gas says the sudden shift from mild weather to sub-zero temperatures is a major risk factor. When pipes have not been insulated due to warmer conditions, freezing happens faster and causes more damage.
As water freezes, it expands inside pipes. This pressure can crack pipework, leading to leaks, flooding, and, in some cases, complete loss of heating and hot water when temperatures rise again.
Engineers say this pattern is seen every winter, but sudden cold snaps are when call-outs spike sharply.
British Gas statement: “Frozen pipes are one of the most common issues we see during cold snaps, but the good news is they’re usually simple to sort out if you act quickly.”
How cold will the UK get during this Arctic blast?
Weather forecasts indicate that much of the UK will see temperatures dropping below zero overnight, with some areas struggling to rise above freezing during the day.
Northern England, Scotland, and rural parts of Wales are expected to feel the worst of the cold, with overnight lows potentially falling to -7°C.
Very cold tonight, as temperatures fall widely below freezing – Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/RaToYZht1n
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 3, 2026
This cold snap follows December 2025, which was one of the warmest on record. Many households delayed winter-proofing their homes, increasing the risk of frozen condensate pipes and boiler shutdowns.
How widespread were heating problems last winter?
British Gas says the scale of winter heating issues is often underestimated. During the 2024–2025 winter, more than 1.2 million customers contacted the company for emergency repairs.
Most call-outs were linked to frozen condensate pipes on modern boilers or complete boiler breakdowns caused by prolonged cold.
Engineers say many of these incidents could have been avoided with early preventative steps, such as pipe insulation or maintaining low-level heating overnight.
What should you do if your heating suddenly stops working?
British Gas engineer Joanna Flowers has shared practical advice for households experiencing heating or water issues during freezing conditions.
Joanna Flowers, British Gas engineer: “If you notice your heating has stopped working or water isn’t flowing from the taps, here’s what to do.”
She explains that in modern homes, the most common issue is a frozen condensate pipe, usually the plastic pipe running from the boiler to the outside.
If it appears frosted or blocked with ice, it can often be thawed safely by pouring hot (but not boiling) water over the pipe or using a hot water bottle to gently melt the ice. Once thawed, the boiler can usually be reset and restarted.
How can you tell if a pipe has burst?
A burst pipe is more serious and requires immediate action. Signs include a sudden drop in water pressure, unexplained damp patches on walls or ceilings, or water marks appearing on floors.
If this happens, British Gas advises turning off the water supply at the stopcock straight away and opening taps to drain the system.
The water should remain off until a qualified engineer inspects the damage and carries out repairs.
British Gas: “If you call before 11am, one of our engineers will be with you the same day.”
How can UK households reduce the risk of frozen pipes?
Engineers say prevention is far cheaper than emergency repairs. Insulating exposed pipes, particularly those running outside or through loft spaces, can significantly reduce freezing risk.
Keeping the heating on a low setting overnight during extreme cold and ensuring cupboards containing pipework are not shut tightly can also help maintain warmth around vulnerable areas.
Knowing where the stopcock is located remains one of the most important steps, as it can prevent thousands of pounds worth of damage if a pipe bursts.
What does this mean for the UK public?
With household budgets still under pressure and energy costs a major concern, unexpected boiler breakdowns can quickly become stressful and expensive.
Some customers are already looking at ways to cut their energy bills as winter demand increases.
British Gas is urging households not to wait until systems fail, but to take basic precautions now as the cold weather arrives.
