Alongside health warnings to keep homes heated and check on vulnerable neighbours, the freeze threatens to damage household white goods and drive up energy bills
Households are being urged to protect their kitchen appliances as the first official cold weather alert of the winter season comes into force across parts of the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow cold health alert for the North West and the West Midlands from 9am on Thursday until noon on Saturday. It comes as the Met Office forecasts a sharp temperature drop, with a cold snap bringing snow showers to northern Scotland on Wednesday night before sweeping southwards.
By Thursday and Friday, temperatures will fall well below average, bringing widespread frost and bitter winds before easing over the weekend. Alongside health warnings to keep homes heated and check on vulnerable neighbours, the freeze threatens to damage household white goods and drive up energy bills.
Jade Golding-Gault, an appliance expert at AO.com, has urged homeowners to take simple steps before the frost sets in, starting with washing machines positioned against poorly insulated outside walls.
She said: “The transfer of cold water to your machine could cause damage to the insides of the machine if temperatures become more extreme and pipes start to freeze. If this sounds close to home, you should consider wrapping your washer’s hoses with pipe insulation to give them some protection from the cold.”
Many British households also keep secondary appliances in unheated outbuildings, a habit that could prove costly when the mercury dips.
Ms Golding-Gault explained: “Did you know that you shouldn’t really expose your tumble dryer to temperatures below 5 degrees? Additionally, condenser tumble dryers have further problems as the water travelling through its pipes can freeze if the machine gets cold. To avoid any damage and look after this appliance, make sure it’s kept in a room that is well-insulated and avoid keeping it in your garage if possible.”
She added that dishwashers are the most sensitive appliances to cold air, using far more energy to heat water in freezing conditions.
“If your appliances are located in a garage, shed or outbuilding, make sure the space is protected from frost and that any exposed pipework is properly insulated,” she advised. “Rather than covering the appliance itself, it’s better to insulate the surrounding area and maintain the room temperature above 5C.”
Even indoor fridge-freezers face hidden cold spots and energy-sapping dust build-up. Ms Golding-Gault recommended checking behind the unit for damp before unplugging it to vacuum or brush away debris from the coils.
Finally, to combat frost-related moisture indoors, she advised running a dehumidifier during the day wherever walls feel wet or dark patches begin to form, removing cold moisture from the air before damp takes hold.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.