Non-emergency advice

If your heating isn't coming on and you've checked the power supply and pressure you should attempt to reset your boiler.

How to reset your boiler

1. Refer to your boiler's manual
2. Find the reset button and press for 10 seconds
3. Wait a few minutes; the boiler should fire up
4. Repeat, if the initial reset fails
5. If your boiler still does not fire up, double-check the gas supply. If this is OK, it seems as though you have a fault on your boiler and you should call out one of our qualified engineers

A loss of water pressure is a common issue. The pressure gauge on your boiler should read between 1 and 2 bar. If the indicator is below 1, your boiler pressure is too low.

How to re-pressure your boiler

1. Refer to your boiler's manual
2. Locate your filling loop - this is usually underneath your boiler, with a valve at both ends
3. Make sure your boiler is turned off, and both ends of the hose are attached to both valves
4. Open both valves to allow mains water into the system - you should hear water filling the system
5. Close both valves, one after another, when the pressure gauge reaches 1.5 bar

Once the pressure is at the correct level, switch the boiler back on - you may need to reset the boiler.

If the pressure on your boiler is too high, it can prevent it from working properly.

How to reduce pressure from your boiler

1. Check the pressure gauge; the dial should read between 1 and 2 bar. If this is above 2, then the pressure is too high
2. Make sure your boiler is turned off
3. Release some of the water pressure by bleeding a radiator
4. If you can't get your boilers pressure down, you will need the help of a qualified engineer

You don't have to concern yourself too much as boilers contain pressure relief valves.

If some of your radiators aren't performing as well as they should be, you may find there is air trapped in there, and they will need bleeding. This is a relatively easy task however it is also an essential one to help maintain the efficiency of your central heating system.

How to bleed your radiators

1. Assess which radiators are not warm
2. Make sure your boiler is turned off, and radiators are cold
3. Put a dry cloth underneath the valve in the top corner of the radiator
4. Place the radiator bleed key into the valve and slowly turn it anticlockwise - you should hear air leaving the valve
5. Continue until all the air has been 'bled', and you see small amounts of water coming from the valve
6. Close the valve
7. After resetting your boiler - your radiators should now be hot

Once complete, if you have a combi-boiler, you may need to re-pressurise your boiler.

Checking your boiler power supply is the first place to look if your boiler isn't firing up or the timer isn't working. Check all your supplies to the boiler are switched on; gas, electricity and water and ensure your boiler is still plugged in.

If there has been a recent power cut in your area, it is possible the boiler's clock has reset and lost your preferred settings.

Most boilers have a safety device built in so if this is engaged, then a simple reset may get your central heating system working.

Essential checks on your boiler

1. Check all the boiler power supplies
2. Check the fuse box
3. Reset the boiler
4. Turn electrical supply to boiler off and on
5. Check the thermostat is turned up with working batteries

Digital thermostats are powered either by batteries or through the mains. If powered by batteries, from time to time your thermostat will warn you that the batteries will soon need changing. This process is straightforward which you can complete yourself.

How to change thermostat batteries

1. Remove the thermostat from its wall-mounted plate
2. Turn the thermostat over and find the battery removal slot
3. Replace the old batteries with new ones - most thermostat will require 2x AA or 2x AAA batteries
4. Set the thermostat back onto the wall plate - it should snap into place

All your thermostat settings should have saved however it is advisable to double check anyway.