No hot water Advice for around your home

Experiencing a lack of hot water can be frustrating, especially during colder weather. However, before reaching out to a professional, it’s worthwhile to investigate potential solutions for common issues that may be easily resolved. We’ve compiled a practical checklist to guide you through troubleshooting minor problems and determining when professional assistance is necessary.

Check the Power Supply:
If your other gas and electrical appliances are operational but your boiler isn’t, inspect your fuse box to ensure a switch hasn’t tripped, interrupting the power supply to your system.
Verify the Pilot Light:
If your permanent pilot light has extinguished, attempt to relight it following the manufacturer’s instructions. If it repeatedly goes out, seek assistance from a qualified engineer. Never attempt to reignite the boiler if you detect or suspect gas leakage; instead, contact the Gas Emergency Line immediately.
Assess Water Pressure:
Optimal boiler performance requires water pressure between 1 and 1.5 bar. If pressure is insufficient, cautiously adjust it using the filling loop. Refer to our comprehensive guide for addressing boiler pressure issues for further assistance.
Ensure Proper Thermostat Settings:
Check if your thermostat is set to a temperature above 21℃. If not, adjust it accordingly. If the thermostat panel displays no readings, consider replacing the batteries.
Verify Timer Settings:
Power outages or accidental disturbances may disrupt your boiler’s timer settings. Verify that your timer is correctly configured, referring to your boiler manual for instructions on resetting it if needed.
Inspect Water Tank or Cylinder:
If your system includes a water tank or cylinder, potential issues may stem from the thermostat/programmer on these components. Ensure they display correct settings and adjust them as necessary.
Consider a Boiler Reset:
Some boilers may require occasional resetting for various reasons, which aren’t necessarily serious. Locate the reset button and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to reset it. If the reset button is situated inside the boiler’s casing, leave this task to a Gas Safe engineer.
Try Power Cycling:
If previous attempts haven’t resolved the issue, switch off the boiler at the mains for a few seconds before powering it back on.
Check for Frozen Pipes:
In cold weather, your boiler’s condensate pipe may freeze. Attempt to thaw it using warm water (not boiling) or a hot water bottle. Refer to our detailed guide for dealing with frozen pipes for further assistance.
Investigate Heating Behavior:
If hot water is only available when the heating is on, it may indicate a larger issue. Follow previous steps and, if necessary, seek professional help.

If you’ve exhausted these troubleshooting steps and still lack hot water, it’s time to enlist the expertise of a Gas Safe engineer. If you’re a HomeCare customer, contact us for prompt assistance. If not, book a one-off engineer visit or consult the Gas Safe Register for a list of qualified engineers.