Emergency Heating Tips: What to Do If Your Boiler Breaks Down

Don't Panic — Here's What to Do

A boiler breakdown in winter is miserable — but it doesn't have to be dangerous. Follow these steps to keep your household safe and warm while repairs are arranged.

Step 1: Check the Basics

Before concluding the boiler is broken, check:

**Boiler pressure** — if below 1 bar, repressurise (see our guide)

**Boiler fault code** — look it up; many faults are self-fixable

**Gas supply** — test the hob; if there's no gas, call 0800 111 999

**Power supply** — check for tripped breakers in your consumer unit

**Thermostat** — is it calling for heat? Set it well above room temperature

**Reset** — press the reset button and wait 10 minutes

Step 2: Call an Engineer

If none of the above resolves it, call a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. Halo Heating offers emergency call-outs across West Sussex. Try to call as early in the day as possible to maximise your chances of a same-day visit.

Step 3: Keeping Warm While You Wait

Electric Heaters

Electric panel heaters, oil-filled radiators, or fan heaters are the safest temporary heating options. Run them in the rooms you're using and close internal doors to retain heat.

**Safe choices:** Oil-filled radiators, electric panel heaters, halogen heaters

**Use with caution:** Fan heaters (can be very expensive to run continuously)

Hot Water Bottles and Electric Blankets

For bedrooms, electric blankets and hot water bottles are very effective and cheap to run. Pre-warm your bed 30 minutes before sleeping.

Layers and Draughts

Close curtains at dusk to retain heat. Seal draughts at doors with towels or draught excluders. Wear thermal layers — this sounds obvious, but reducing the temperature you need to maintain saves significant energy from temporary heaters.

What NOT to Do

Never use these for indoor heating:

BBQs or charcoal

Camping stoves or gas canisters

Generators (indoors or in attached garages)

Ovens or gas hobs (for prolonged heating)

All of these produce carbon monoxide and are responsible for fatalities every winter.

Protecting Your Pipes

If temperatures are very low and your home is cold for an extended period, run your cold taps briefly to keep water moving and reduce freeze risk in vulnerable pipe runs (lofts, external walls).

For emergency boiler repair in West Sussex, call Halo Heating.