Which problems can I enquire about?

Any fault with a gas boiler or the heating and hot water it runs is worth an enquiry. Typical examples are radiators staying cold, hot taps running cold, an error code or a red light on the display, a pressure needle that keeps falling, water dripping from the casing or pipes, or a boiler that lights and then gives up. Noises are useful clues too, from gurgling and knocking to a high-pitched whine.

You do not need to know what is wrong. Describe what you have noticed, in your own words, and leave the diagnosis to the engineer.

Is there anything I can check myself?

Some causes are simple enough to rule out without touching the boiler itself:

Look at the pressure gauge. If it reads well below the level shown in your boiler's manual, the manual should explain how to top it up.
Check the thermostat. Flat batteries in a wireless thermostat can stop the boiler being asked for heat.
After a power cut, see whether the clock on the timer or programmer has reset.
If you have a prepayment gas meter, make sure there is credit on it.
On a frosty morning, look at the thin plastic condensate pipe leading outside. If it has frozen, your boiler's manual or the manufacturer's website may show how to defrost it by pouring water from a kettle that has cooled a little along the pipe.

What should I leave alone?

Do not remove the boiler casing or try to adjust anything inside it, and do not work on the gas pipes or meter. In the UK, work on gas appliances and fittings is restricted by law to engineers on the Gas Safe Register. If water is leaking near electrics, switch off the boiler's power supply at the fused spur if you can reach it safely.

My boiler is still under warranty. Who should I call?

Look at your paperwork first. Many manufacturers handle warranty repairs themselves, so a fault on a boiler that is still covered is usually best reported to the manufacturer. An outside repair could affect your cover. If the warranty has ended, or you are not sure, send your enquiry and mention the age of the boiler.

I rent my home. What should I do?

Tell your landlord or letting agent before anything else. In most tenancies, keeping the heating and hot water working is the landlord's responsibility, and they will usually arrange the engineer. Report the fault in writing so there is a dated record. Landlords who need a repair at a rented property are welcome to enquire directly.

What details help the engineer?

the make and model of the boiler, usually on a label on the front or under a flap
any code, flashing light or message on the display
whether the fault affects the heating, the hot water or both
when it began, and whether anything changed around that time
where the boiler is: kitchen, airing cupboard, loft or garage
a photo of the boiler and the pressure gauge

Should I repair or replace an older boiler?

Most faults can be fixed, and a repair is normally the first thing to look at. If a boiler is old, has broken down several times, or needs a part the manufacturer no longer makes, it may be sensible to compare the cost of a repair with the cost of a new boiler before deciding. The engineer can talk you through both, and the choice is yours.

What happens after I enquire?

Your enquiry goes, with your consent, to one Gas Safe registered engineer working in your area. It is not shared with a list of firms. They contact you to talk about the fault, book a visit when it is needed and settle the cost with you before carrying out any work. Asking is free and you can decide not to go ahead.

This site is an independent enquiry service rather than a heating firm, and it is not an emergency call-out. The engineer may pay this site a fee when we introduce you.

What if I smell gas or my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

Treat it as an emergency. Do not wait to hear from an engineer. If you smell gas, get fresh air into the property, turn off the gas at the meter if you can do so safely, and keep away from electrical switches and naked flames. Then phone the National Gas Emergency Service, free on 0800 111 999 at any hour.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, or people in the home feel unwell with headaches, dizziness, sickness or breathlessness that improve outdoors, open the windows, leave the house and ring that number too. Seek medical advice if anyone has symptoms.

Who you will hear from

We pass your enquiry to one local heating engineer who covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies.

We only pass enquiries to heating engineers whose registration we have checked on the Gas Safe Register. Ask to see their registration ID card when they arrive.

Herts Heating Repairs is an independent enquiry service, not a heating company. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to one local heating engineer who covers your area. The engineer may pay us a fee for each introduction.