❄️ No Heating in Winter: Emergency Action Plan

Last updated: February 2025

It's -2°C outside. You turn the heating on. Nothing. Boiler display shows an error code you've never seen before. House is getting colder by the hour.

Here's what to do RIGHT NOW, and what happens when you call an emergency Gas Safe engineer.

First 5 Minutes: Quick Checks (Before Calling Anyone)

1. Check the thermostat:

• Is it set to "heating on"? (Not "off" or "timer")
• Is target temperature above current room temperature?
• Battery low? (Wireless thermostats—common issue)
• Try turning it UP to 25°C—does boiler attempt to fire?

2. Check boiler pressure:

• Look at pressure gauge on boiler (usually bottom left)
• Should be 1.0-1.5 bar when cold
• Below 0.5 bar? It won't fire (safety lockout)
• Above 2.5 bar? Also a problem

3. Check power:

• Is boiler display lit? (If not, check fuse/circuit breaker)
• Tripped fuse? Reset it, try again
• Timer switch turned off? (Some boilers have separate power switch)

4. Check gas supply:

• Try your gas hob—does it light?
• No gas? Power cut might have affected supply, or meter needs credit (prepay)
• Gas valve under boiler—is it in "open" position?

5. Try a reset:

• Most boilers have a reset button (flame symbol or "R")
• Hold for 3-5 seconds
• Boiler should attempt to restart
• Don't reset more than twice—if it keeps failing, there's a real fault

Common Error Codes (What They Actually Mean)

Worcester Bosch:

• F28: Ignition failure (gas valve, electrode, PCB)
• F29: Ignition lockout (repeated F28—needs reset)
• EA: Flame sensing issue (electrode dirty or faulty)

Vaillant:

• F75: Pressure sensor fault or no pressure rise (pump, sensor, blockage)
• F28/F29: Same as Worcester—ignition failure
• F22: Low pressure (top up required)

Ideal Logic/Vogue:

• FD: Flame detection issue (electrode or gas valve)
• F1: Low water pressure
• L2: Flame lost during operation

Baxi:

• E133: Flame detection fault
• E117: Pressure too high
• E110: Overheat thermostat tripped

When To Call Emergency Gas Safe Engineer

Call immediately if:

• Smell gas (turn off at meter, open windows, call National Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999)
• Error code persists after reset
• Boiler making strange noises (banging, kettling, whistling)
• Pressure keeps dropping (leak somewhere)
• Freezing weather and no heating (vulnerable people, pipes at risk)

What Happens When You Call Us

You call 0333 600 0990. Here's the process:

1. Triage call (5 minutes):

• What's the boiler make/model?
• Error code showing?
• When did it stop working?
• Any leaks, smells, strange noises?
• Vulnerable people in house? (Prioritizes dispatch)

2. Engineer dispatch (2 hours):

• Gas Safe engineer mobilized
• Parts van includes common spares for your boiler brand
• Engineer calls when en route

3. Diagnosis (30-45 minutes on-site):

• Engineer checks error codes, system pressure, gas supply
• Tests ignition, flame detection, pump, diverter valve
• Identifies faulty part
• Quotes repair cost BEFORE starting work

4. Repair (30-90 minutes):

• Replace faulty part (if on van—80% of faults we carry spares for)
• Test system, check safety
• Heating restored

Total time: 3-5 hours from calling us to heating back on (if part is on van).

What If It Can't Be Fixed?

Boiler beyond economic repair? (Old, discontinued parts, multiple faults) We carry emergency replacement boilers:

• Worcester Bosch 2000: £2,200 fitted same day
• Vaillant ecoTEC Plus: £2,600 fitted same day
• Ideal Logic+ Combi: £1,900 fitted same day

Old boiler out, new one in, heating working by evening. 5-10 year warranty depending on model.

Keep Warm While You Wait

• Electric heaters: Fan heaters, oil-filled radiators (safe, not fast but effective)
• Layer up: Blankets, warm clothes, hot water bottles
• Close doors: Heat one room with portable heater rather than trying to heat whole house
• Prevent pipe freeze: Open cupboard doors under sinks, drip taps slightly
• Vulnerable people: Elderly, young children, medical conditions—prioritize getting them somewhere warm

Action Checklist

1. ☐ Check thermostat is on and set correctly
2. ☐ Check boiler pressure (1.0-1.5 bar needed)
3. ☐ Check power/fuse/circuit breaker
4. ☐ Check gas supply (hob works?)
5. ☐ Try reset (once or twice max)
6. ☐ Note error code
7. ☐ Call Gas Safe engineer: 0333 600 0990
8. ☐ Set up temporary heating while you wait

Need Emergency Heating Repair?

UK Boiler Response: 0333 600 0990

Gas Safe engineers dispatched within 2 hours. Worcester, Vaillant, Ideal, Baxi specialists. Parts van carries common spares. Fixed pricing before we start. Heating restored same day in 80% of cases.

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