If you’ve got no power to your boiler and you can’t figure out why, don’t panic – in this guide, we’ll help you determine exactly what the problem is. We’ll also help you find the solution to the issue and decide on the best course of action to get your boiler up and running again as soon as possible.
Causes Of No Power To A Boiler
Boilers are complex machines so there can be a lot of different reasons why one may not fire up. And while some issues can only be fixed by a heating engineer, others can be checked and even fixed by you. Here are the most common causes of this problem as well as troubleshooting steps that can help you fix your boiler in just a few minutes.
Blown Fuse
To prevent the electrical components from getting damaged in case of a problem, all boilers are fitted with a fuse. Unfortunately, the fuse can sometimes blow and while there can be a variety of reasons for this, typically it happens if there is a surge of power. When the fuse blows, there will be no power to your boiler, and as a result, it will fail to turn on.
To fix this problem, check the fuse in your fuse box. When the switch is pointing down, the circuit is off; when it’s pointing up, the circuit is on. If there is no power to your boiler and the problem is a blown fuse, one of these switches will be pointing down. Just flick it up to the top position, close the fuse box, and your boiler should have power again.
Tripped RCD
Tripped RCD could be another fuse-related problem that’s preventing your boiler from turning on. An RCD will trip when a fault has been detected in an electrical circuit. Sometimes, this can affect the whole house, but other times only sections of a property will be affected. If sections of your home are on different circuits – in other words, if some parts are zoned – and you’ve recently experienced a power cut, it’s very possible that the zone of your property where the boiler is has tripped.
To solve this problem, go to your RCB fuse board and check if all the switches are in the same position. If one of the switches has tripped, simply reset it and your boiler should work again.
Electric Meter
If you have a pay-as-you-go-meter (also known as a prepaid meter), it’s possible that either there’s a fault with the meter or that you’ve run out of credit.
Thankfully, since most electric meters are now digital, you can resolve this issue pretty quickly simply by calling the utility company. They will tell you if you need to top up your credit or if the meter needs to be investigated and fixed.
Broken Fused Spur
Here is another issue that you can check and possibly repair yourself – a broken fused spur. Most electrical appliances, including cookers and boilers, are segregated from the main electrical circuit by a fused spur which looks like a regular socket but with a little red window on it.
While rare, a fused spur can go wrong, preventing your boiler from getting power from the mains. If your boiler is plugged into a spur, it’s worth checking that the fuse in the spur isn’t blown. If it is, don’t worry – this is a minor problem that’s both cheap and easy to fix.
Printed Circuit Board Failure
The Printed Circuit Board, or PCB for short, is an essential part of your boiler. All electrical components of the boiler – including the pump, thermostat, timer, valves and more – communicate with and thanks to the PCB. So, if there’s no power to your boiler, a PCB failure could be the culprit.
Unfortunately, this is a major problem that requires a Gas Safe engineer’s expertise to be fixed. To check whether the PCB is working or not, an engineer will run an electrical test. If the PCB can be repaired, a boiler repair company will be able to help you. However, if the entire component is broken, you’ll have to pay up to £500, plus installation costs. In this case, investing in a new boiler with a long warranty may be a better idea, especially if your boiler is already older than 10 years.
Power Light Failure
Sometimes, something simple as a LED failure can make your boiler appear as if it has no power. Of course, there is a small probability for this, but it’s still possible for a boiler power light to fail.
While a small problem, a power light failure still needs to be fixed by a heating engineer. They will perform a simple electrical test to identify the issue and install a replacement LED if it’s broken. Thankfully, fixing a power light is inexpensive and quick.
How Do I Turn My Boiler Back On?
Once you or your boiler engineer has fixed the problem, you’ll need to reset your boiler. Most modern boilers have a reset button on their display board, which is typically located right on the front of a boiler. If you can’t find the reset button on your boiler, refer to your boiler manual. Once you find the button, push it for about 5 seconds, then let go – your boiler should be working again.
If you have an older boiler, make sure you check your user manual or look on the manufacturer’s website for instructions- some older boilers have a more complex reset procedure that you may have to follow in order to turn the boiler back on.
Where to Look If You Need a New Boiler
If your boiler is older than 10 years and you frequently have to deal with various boiler issues (no hot water or central heating, too high or low boiler pressure, etc.) our best advice is to invest in a new one with a long warranty. Nowadays, boilers are cheaper than they used to be and it may be much more affordable to get a new one than to have to constantly pay for expensive repairs.
To get the best deal, get not one boiler quote but as many as possible, and make sure they all include installation costs, plus any extras you may need. Remember to check out online suppliers too!
Sources:
- Broken Boiler – Worcester – Bosch
- Boiler repair by Vaillant – Vaillant