With an estimated third of businesses being caught out by the cold weather every year, British Gas is urging businesses to prepare for a cold winter.

The company says it expects to see a 70 percent increase in the number of call outs to businesses needing emergency repair work during the winter months, often due to boiler and heating breakdowns.

Despite this, it adds, many businesses overlook the regular, preventative checks on gas and electrical equipment that can maintain efficiency and ensure businesses safeguard their operations against these mishaps.

British Gas has provided a list of tips aimed at helping businesses keep the lights on even in the most severe weather:

(1) Give boilers a healthcheck - check to make sure they are working properly before winter sets in. The older a boiler, the more inefficient it will be. New energy efficient boilers can help cut heating bills by up to 20 per cent per year. Heating appliances should be serviced once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

(2) Check central heating: run it on full to check that radiators heat up properly. If any cold spots can be felt, especially at the top, they may need bleeding. Bleeding radiators is a simple task that will make a business warmer and its central heating system more efficient.

(3) Prepare for the cold: ensure heating and drainage systems are in tip-top condition. Start by checking that pipes are not too exposed to the cold. Water tanks and pipes should also be lagged to conserve heat and prevent freezing. Spending time to prepare a business now could prevent a crisis when temperatures plummet.

(4) Be energy efficient: lighting accounts for 25 per cent of a company's total electricity bill, and energy efficient lighting can help to cut these costs by up to a third. Use standby power savers that automatically turn appliances off, such as computer equipment, when it's not being used. Each of these will save around £30 a year on energy bills. Also speak to your provider about getting a smart meter. This allows consumers to pay accurate bills based on accurate readings and provides valuable insight into a business's energy use, allowing measures to be taken to reduce it.

(5) Have a back-up plan: ensure your business is covered by a service and maintenance contract. Use a trusted brand and seek assurances that an engineer will be on site quickly if something does go wrong with gas appliances or an electrical installation. Putting this plan in place now can prevent a breakdown turning into a debilitating business crisis later on.

Phil Manock, British Gas Commercial Services, said: "During the winter months, thousands of businesses are hit by crises caused by the cold weather that can cost them thousands of pounds and seriously impact their daily operations.

"However, this is often caused by their failure to prepare for the cold through regular maintenance.

"Taking simple steps now to make sure your heating system is in top working condition and that you have a back-up plan if something does go wrong can save vital time and money in the long term."