British Gas has warned UK households to avoid using washing machines before 5pm until Friday, as an amber heat health alert is in effect amid scorching temperatures that could reach 38C. The advice aims to keep homes cooler during the heatwave, which is expected to last from Monday morning until Friday night.
Why Avoid Washing Machines During the Day?
Using washing machines and other heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day adds extra heat to the home. 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 that there are some practical steps that households can take to help keep inside temperatures down during the summer months." He added: "Things like doing your washing in the evening, keeping windows closed during the middle of the day or putting your fans on the floor are all small changes that can make a real difference."
Additional Tips to Keep Homes Cool
British Gas also recommends batch cooking early in the morning or late in the evening, air-drying laundry outdoors where possible, and embracing lighter meals that don't require cooking during the hottest hours. Unplugging devices such as chargers, laptops, and other electronics can also help, as they release ambient heat even when not in active use.
Met Office Warning
The Met Office has issued an amber heat health alert for parts of the UK, stating: "Hot and humid weather is expected to continue through the middle of the week, with exceptionally warm temperatures both day and night." The forecaster warned of "substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required" and noted that "failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment is likely, with the probable loss of power and other essential services, such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services."
