COLD WATER WOES: BRITS WOULD RATHER LISTEN TO A THREE HOUR LECTURE ON TAXES THAN HAVE A COLD BATH
- Research reveals that one in six (16 per cent) would rather go to the dentist than step into a cold bath and 10 per cent would sooner attempt to assemble flat-pack furniture – without instructions
- For 50 per cent of Brits, unexpected cold water is a surefire way to ruin the day, with nearly one third of Brits filling the bath with the kettle when there’s no hot water
- British Gas is offering a same-day service if you wake up to no heating or hot water and contact them by 11am
- Tom Daley puts ice baths behind him since retiring, and is appointed British Gas’s official ‘Nice Bath Ambassador’ – championing warm baths for the nation
The lengths Brits go to for a warm wash have been revealed by British Gas. 29 per cent fill the bath with the kettle when there’s no hot water, 17 per cent use their gym membership purely for a hot shower, and a desperate 12 per cent ask their neighbours if they can use their bathroom.
When asked about stepping into an unexpectedly Baltic bath, one in six (16 per cent) say they would rather go to the dentist and 10 per cent would sooner attempt to assemble some flat-pack furniture – without instructions.
The study of 2,000 adults, commissioned by British Gas, reveals 40 degrees is the optimum bath water temperature, with 1 in 5 testing the water first with an elbow. Some like it really hot, with 1 in 4 liking the water to be as hot as possible, (between 43 and 45 degrees), while only 6 per cent of Brits like a cool bath (18 degrees or less).
While 12 per cent have willingly tried an ice bath, and 21 per cent would be interested – 64 per cent say there’s no chance. In fact, an unexpected cold bath or shower was cited as the number one way to ruin the day for 50 per cent.
British Gas has appointed Tom Daley as its ‘Nice Bath Ambassador’ championing warm baths for the nation. Tom Daley said: “I’ve had quite a few ice baths in my time as an athlete but now I’m retired, I can enjoy a nice warm bath. Broken boilers are nobody’s idea of a good time, especially when the weather’s already freezing outside. Just thinking about stepping into a cold shower or bath is making me want to go and put my dressing gown on!”
The study highlights just how much Brits love bathtime, with 65 per cent loving a soak in a nice warm tub, despite a shower being speedier, and 32 per cent saying a nice warm bath solves life’s problems. 1 in 10 even admitted to taking the size of the bathtub into consideration when looking for their next rental home.
Brits will take an average of 96 baths a year and more than 6,000 over their lifetime – with 1 in 3 pouring bubbles into every bath, and 1 in 10 admitting to having had four baths in one day!
The perfect soak takes place at 8pm on a Sunday night, with favourite bathtime activities including daydreaming about a lottery win (19 per cent), drinking something delicious (18 per cent) or simply meditating (17 per cent). 19 per cent love bathtime so much, they admitted to staying in the tub until their fingers look like prunes, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
Jessica Rawstron, engineer at British Gas said: “We know how much Brits value bathtime, so now is the time of year to check your boiler is in tip-top condition, or you may find yourself sheepishly standing at a neighbour’s door in your towel. Boiler care should be a year-round priority, and regular maintenance over the summer can help avoid issues during the colder months.
“However, when your boiler does break down—which can happen to anyone—getting it repaired quickly is essential. That’s why our same-day service is so important; we make sure an engineer can be there to get things running smoothly again – giving our customers peace of mind when they need it most.”
British Gas now offers same-day engineer visits to help when you have no heating or hot water. If you contact them by 11am, an engineer will visit that same day. This service is available to all UK households, regardless of whether they are existing British Gas customers. To book an engineer, head to the website here.
