British Gas tells UK households don’t use washing machines before 5pm | UK | News
With temperatures rising across the UK, British Gas is urging UK households not to use washing machines until 5pm to keep homes cool in hot weather.
Doing your laundry after 5pm can significantly reduce indoor temperatures during heat waves.
Peter Knowles, Service and Repair Engineer at British Gas, said: “We all know how frustrating it is when our homes are hot and stuffy. The good news is there are some practical steps household members can take to help stay indoors.”
“Things like doing your laundry in the evening, keeping the windows closed in the middle of the day, or putting your fans on the floor are all small changes that can make a real difference.”
The British Gas engineer added that leaving the cooking process to a similar time of day would also help reduce temperatures inside.
Using ovens, ranges, tumble dryers and washing machines during the coolest hours of the day prevents extra heat from being generated when temperatures peak.
The gas company recommends batch cooking early in the morning or late in the evening, drying laundry outdoors if possible, and adopting lighter meals that don’t require cooking during the hottest hours.
Another way to keep homes cool is to unplug heat-generating appliances.
This includes chargers, laptops and other devices. When left plugged in, these release ambient heat even when not actively used.
During a heatwave, multiple devices can contribute to stuffy indoor spaces; So unplugging things you’re not using will help keep rooms a little cooler.
Ahead of the heatwave, the Met Office said: “Hot and humid weather is expected to continue through midweek, with exceptionally warm temperatures expected both day and night.”
The forecaster added: “Significant changes to working practices and daily routines will likely be required. Failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment is likely, as well as loss of power and other essential services such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services.”
