Are you winter ready?
During the winter months, the UK faces an increase in storms, floods, and other extreme weather events that can cause damage to the electricity network and disrupt your electricity supply.
We also spend a lot more time with our heating on through these colder months, making it vital to be aware of who to contact during an outage, and knowing what steps you need to take if the power goes out to stay safe, warm and cosy this winter.
Priority Service Register
If you are a vulnerable customer or need additional assistance during an outage.
GTC aims to provide a reliable and safe electricity and gas supply. However, we unfortunately cannot guarantee an uninterrupted supply 100% of the time.
During the winter months, the UK has a likely increase in storms, floods, and other extreme weather events that can cause damage to the network, causing disruption to your electricity and gas supply.
While we aim to restore your electricity and gas supply as quickly as possible, there are occasions, due to a complex fault or adverse weather, where our teams may take longer to restore your electricity and gas.
It is important that you and your family are prepared and have a plan in place, so you know what to do if an incident does occur and to make the experience more manageable.
How to prepare for an electricity outage
Torch
Keep a torch on hand – this is safer than using candles.
Have a charged mobile phone
Make sure your phone is fully charged. If you have a rechargeable battery pack, make sure this is charged up and ready to use. This is important if you have a web-based phone, as this won’t work in a power cut.
Fuel your car
If you have an electric vehicle, make sure your car is charged up. Take a look at ZapMap to find nearby charge points if your power goes out. Fill up hybrid cars with fuel prior to severe weather.
Keep warm
To help stay warm, have blankets and warm clothes to hand.
Heating
Boilers may not work during a power cut, therefore, hot water might not be available. Try to stay in one room, keeping the windows and doors shut to trap residual heat. Avoid using gas heaters and be mindful of safety. Once the power is back on, you will need to check or reset your heating your heating if it uses an electric timer.
Kitchen appliances
Kitchen appliances should not be damaged during a power cut. If you know when the power is going off, try and fill in any spaces in your freezer and keep the door closed.
Save your work
To avoid losing any important documents, back up your files and save your work regularly. Check your settings and allow any auto-save features.
Food and drinks
Stock up your cupboards with food and drink that does not require cooking. Avoid opening the fridge and freezer during and after a power cut. Never use a portable camping stove or barbeque inside. They produce harmful gases including carbon monoxide. For more information on carbon monoxide click here.
Stair lifts
If your stair lift is powered by the mains, there should be a handle to allow you to continue to the ground floor safely.
Electrical equipment for healthcare
If you depend on electrical equipment for healthcare provisions, check with your healthcare provider, NHS on ‘111’, or the equipment manufacturers to make sure you have measures in place.
Alarm systems and smart doorbells
Most alarm systems and smart doorbells have battery back-ups, but some may be affected. Check before a planned power cut or severe weather, or speak to your manufacturer or installer if you are not sure.
Medication
If you have medication that needs to be stored within the fridge, speak to your healthcare provider or the NHS on ‘111’ for further advice. Keep icepacks on hand ready to store around medication if the power does go out.
Care homes and assisted living
If you run care home or manage assisted living residences it is important that you have made appropriate emergency continuity plans should there be a power cut. Download our useful information guide which explains the precautions you should take as a business and how we can help.
GSOS Payments
GSOS Payments are governed and set by Ofgem, the industry regulator for the Gas and Electricity Industries. Network Operators, such as GTC, are obligated to abide by these standards, and payments to customers are a requirement to recognise the inconvenience, if we fail to deliver on these standards.
Please refer to our Notice of Rights for Electricity and Gas to assess your eligibility prior to submitting your claim.
GTC will not reimburse you for loss of earnings or fridge / freezer contents due to an outage.
Fish and reptiles
Tropical fish and reptiles should not be affected in a power cut for 2-3 hours. However think about back up power during severe weather or planned interruptions longer than this. You can wrap the tropical tank in blankets to keep it warm.
How to prepare for a gas outage
Gas appliance checks
Have you had your boiler and appliances serviced by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer? You can find your local engineer by accessing Gas Safe Register – The Official List of Gas Safe Registered Businesses … Or you can call 0800 408 5500. This website gives you help and advice on making sure your boiler and appliances are regularly serviced to avoid potential issues before they become bigger problems.
Carbon monoxide
It is especially important to remain vigilant at this time of year. Carbon Monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless gas and so difficult to detect. Make sure that you have a Carbon Monoxide alarm that is tested regularly and check its expiry date.
Avoiding frozen gas pipes
Frozen pipes can cause disruption to the supply of gas and so can a frozen boiler condensate drain. Your boiler may have turned off due to this and may produce a gurgling sound at the boiler or pipe outside your home. During cold snaps, it is worth making sure you know where to locate your meter and condensate pipe to check if everything seems in order. If you think that frozen pipes may be the problem, then you can apply a hot water bottle, heated pad or some warm (not boiling) water to the area. This handy guide could help.
Keep warm
To help stay warm, have blankets and warm clothes to hand. Make up hot water bottles and flasks to keep warm.
Be mindful
To avoid pressure on the electrical network, limit the use of non-essential electrical items and switch off or unplug electrical equipment you do not need.
Food and drinks
Stock your cupboards up with food and drink that does not require cooking without gas.
Food such as microwave meals and hot water activated items are great to keeping in your store cupboard or freezer for emergencies.
Make the right call
Care
Make time to check in on loved ones, neighbours, and friends to see if they have need any help getting ready for winter. Perhaps you have advice or have experienced a loss of gas and electric and how you were able to deal with it.
Severe weather can be stressful, so check in with them!
Are you on the Priority Services Register or know someone who might need extra help?
We recognise that some of our customers may require additional support during an outage and are eligible to be on our Priority Services Register. If you need extra care and support during a gas outage, we recommend you add your details to our Priority Services Register. This does not guarantee your electricity supply will be back on more quickly, but it does mean we can offer you additional help and support.
You can sign up to the Priority Services Register here if you are, or have:
Medically dependent
Dependent on electrical equipment for medical reasons
A chronic or serious illness
Mental health issues
Poor mobility
Sensory impairment
Of pensionable age
Young families
A small act of kindness
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Now why not share with others?
Remember that not everyone is taught how deal with emergency situations or even know what they may be able to do in advance of winter and a small conversation can have a helpful impact. Perhaps a daughter or son has a new home, do you think that they would know the right person to call in a situation? Is there someone alone this winter that might just need a little help?
Here are some useful links for you.
Charity links:
British Red Cross – Prepare for snow and cold winter weather | British Red Cross
GTC helpful guides