Why isn't my hot water working?

We rely on hot water every day, whatever the time of year, so when it stops working unexpectedly it is a real pain. More often than not there is a simple fix. It is worth trying these five things before you call an engineer.

1. Is it switched on at the electrics?

It seems obvious, but engineers come across this often. Because boilers are on all the time, if someone accidentally switches it off at the mains it may not be the first place you look.

2. Check the water temperature

Most boilers have a separate dial for water temperature. If it has been turned down by mistake, that could be the issue. Hot water is usually set to around 60 or 65 degrees.

3. The pilot light may have gone out

If your boiler has a lit pilot light, it may have gone out. There are instruction videos online for relighting it, but only attempt this if you feel comfortable. Otherwise an engineer can fix it quickly.

4. The diverter valve may have perished

Combi boilers switch between heating your water and your radiators, which is the job of the diverter valve. This small component can perish over time, causing the boiler to become stuck. A trained engineer can diagnose and fix this.

5. Is your boiler around 10 years old?

If your boiler is 7 to 10+ years old, it may simply be on its way out. Boilers rarely last fully functioning beyond 10 years and break down more often as they age. An engineer can tell you whether a repair is worthwhile or the money is better spent on a new model.

If you need a professional assessment, our team can send someone out to help. See also our guide on no hot water but heating works.