British Gas Away Temperature Settings: Cut Bills and Protect Pipes (Updated November 14, 2026)

Verified and updated November 14, 2026, at 9:15 p.m. UTC (London: 9:15 p.m. GMT).

British Gas’s latest frozen-pipe guidance recommends keeping the thermostat at least 7°C during frosty weather, including when nobody is home. That setting can reduce the chance that vulnerable pipework freezes, while a smart schedule or away setting can prevent the home from being heated to normal comfort levels unnecessarily. The important detail is that an “Away” mode does not mean the same thing on every thermostat: check the temperature it actually maintains and whether frost protection is enabled.

The company updated its advice on October 23, 2026, and says Hive Thermostat frost protection automatically turns the heating on if the temperature falls below 7°C. The Met Office also advises leaving heating on low when going away. Neither measure can guarantee that every exposed pipe is protected, so insulation, a working heating system, and checks by someone you trust remain useful safeguards.

Destaques

• For cold weather, British Gas recommends a minimum thermostat setting of 7°C while away.
• Confirm what your specific Away or holiday mode does; schedules and frost protection can differ.
• Insulate exposed pipework and ask someone to check the property during a longer winter absence.
• For absences longer than a few days, British Gas says to consider turning off the water at the stopcock.

What temperature should a British Gas thermostat use when you’re away?

In freezing weather, use 7°C as the starting point recommended by British Gas for an unoccupied home. This is a frost-protection threshold, not a comfortable room temperature. It lets the system run only when the sensed temperature falls low enough to need protection, instead of following a usual schedule that may heat the home to around 18–20°C while it is empty.

Temperature at the thermostat is not necessarily temperature beside a pipe. Pipework in lofts, garages, basements, exterior walls, or unheated cupboards may be colder. If your home has these risk areas, don’t treat a thermostat reading as a guarantee. Insulate pipes and tanks, seal drafts, and open cupboard doors around vulnerable plumbing so warmer air can circulate, as British Gas advises.

Does British Gas Away mode keep heating on?

It depends on the control system and the settings selected. Some smart controls let you pause a schedule, select an Away or holiday mode, or maintain a frost-protection floor. These choices can have different results. Before leaving, check the app or thermostat for the target temperature and whether a frost setting is active. If it is unclear, use the manual for your model or British Gas support rather than assuming Away mode protects pipes.

For Hive Thermostat users, British Gas says the built-in Frost Protection feature switches on the heating when the temperature drops below 7°C. Confirm the thermostat is powered, connected as expected, and able to control the heating. For another thermostat or boiler, check its own instructions: frost protection may work differently, and a boiler’s internal protection may safeguard the boiler without warming every pipe elsewhere in the home.

How can you cut bills without increasing frozen-pipe risk?

The direct saving comes from avoiding unnecessary heating at normal comfort settings while the house is empty. Use a lower away target, and schedule the usual comfort temperature to resume shortly before you return if your controls support that feature. Your actual savings depend on the property’s insulation, outdoor conditions, heating system, tariff, and length of absence; a fixed annual saving cannot be promised from one thermostat change.

Keep the low setting practical for the property. A drafty home with exposed pipes may need more protection than a well-insulated flat with internal plumbing. Before a cold spell, check pipe lagging and tank insulation, keep windows closed, and make sure the heating works. The Met Office recommends that someone check the home occasionally during an absence. A connected thermostat can help you monitor conditions, but it cannot repair a fault or confirm that every remote pipe is warm.

What should you do before a longer winter trip?

1. Check your thermostat’s Away or holiday setting and set a cold-weather minimum appropriate to its instructions; British Gas’s published recommendation is at least 7°C.
2. Test the heating before you leave and confirm the thermostat can call for heat.
3. Insulate exposed pipes and tanks, especially in lofts, garages, basements, and outside.
4. For an absence longer than a few days, consider the British Gas advice to turn off the water at the stopcock. If appropriate for your plumbing, drain remaining water by running taps, then close them. If you are unsure how this affects your home, ask a qualified plumber.
5. Leave a key and contact details with a trusted neighbor or friend who can check the property.

Turning off the water supply can limit water damage if a pipe fails, but it is not a replacement for protecting heating-system pipework from freezing. If you are uncertain whether your system should be drained or how the stopcock affects it, get advice specific to your installation.

What happens if a pipe freezes or bursts?

If you suspect a pipe is frozen, the Met Office advises turning off the inside stop tap, opening taps to drain the system, and thawing the pipe slowly with hot-water bottles or towels soaked in hot water. Never use a blowtorch or naked flame. For a burst pipe, turn off the water, switch off the boiler, drain the taps, limit water damage, and contact a WaterSafe-approved plumber. Keep away from wet electrical fittings; the Met Office says not to touch them and to switch them off at the fuse box if safe to do so.

Frequently asked questions

Is 7°C enough to prevent frozen pipes?

It is British Gas’s recommended minimum thermostat setting in frosty weather, but it cannot guarantee protection for every pipe, especially in exposed or unheated spaces. Insulation and checks still matter.

Should I turn the heating completely off while away?

In cold weather, British Gas and the Met Office advise keeping heating on low. In warmer conditions, a lower setting or off schedule may be suitable, provided there is no frost risk and no household-specific need for heat.

Should I turn off the water when I travel?

British Gas says to consider using the stopcock if you will be away for more than a few days. Seek plumbing advice if you are unsure about draining your system or protecting its heating pipes.

Sources checked: British Gas frozen-pipe guidance, updated October 23, 2026; Met Office advice on frozen and burst pipes.