Why Is My Hot Water Not Working?
Picture this: it's a chilly Fife morning, you're ready for a nice warm shower before heading off to work in Dunfermline town centre, and suddenly you're hit with nothing but cold water. We've all been there, and we know how frustrating it can be.
Whether you're in Rosyth, Inverkeithing, or anywhere across the Kingdom of Fife, hot water problems always seem to happen at the worst possible times.
Before you ring up a heating engineer in a panic, there are several things you can check yourself. We've helped hundreds of households across Dunfermline and the surrounding areas sort their hot water woes, and often the solution is simpler than you might think.
1. Check for Boiler Error Codes
Modern boilers are pretty clever these days. When something goes wrong, they'll usually display an error code on their digital screen to tell you exactly what the problem is. Think of it as your boiler's way of having a wee chat with you about what's bothering it.
Common error codes we see across Fife homes include:
Baxi boilers: E118 typically indicates low water pressure. E133 often means the gas supply has been interrupted.
Vaillant and Glow-worm boilers: F75 is another pressure issue, while F28 means there's no gas getting through.
Worcester Bosch: EA means no flame detected, while E9 points to overheating.
Ideal boilers: F1 is low water pressure, L2 means flame loss.
Your boiler manual will have a full list of error codes, but if you can't find it (we know how easy it is to misplace these things!), just search online for your boiler model plus the error code.
2. Check the Boiler Pressure
Low boiler pressure is hands down the most common reason we get called out to homes from South Queensferry to Kirkcaldy. Your boiler needs the right amount of pressure to push hot water through your radiators and taps. Think of it like trying to water your garden with a kinked hose pipe.
Here's what to do:
- Look for the pressure gauge on the front of your boiler. It's usually a dial with numbers from 0 to 4, or sometimes a digital display.
- The needle or reading should sit between 1 and 1.5 bar when the system is cold.
- If it's below 1 bar, your boiler might struggle to work properly or switch off completely as a safety measure.
To top up the pressure:
You'll need to use the filling loop. This is usually a flexible silver hose with valves at each end, located underneath your boiler. Some newer models have a built in filling key instead. Turn the valves slowly until you see the pressure rise to about 1.2 bar, then close them tightly. Don't overfill it past 1.5 bar, as too much pressure can cause other problems.
Important: If your pressure keeps dropping after you've topped it up, you might have a leak somewhere in the system. Check around your radiators and pipes for any damp patches. This is particularly common in older properties around Dunfermline's historic areas where pipework might be getting on a bit.
3. Is the Gas Supply Working?
No gas means no hot water, simple as that. But before assuming the worst, let's check if gas is actually reaching your boiler. This is especially important to check after any work has been done on your street, as sometimes the gas supply can be accidentally interrupted.
Try turning on your gas hob if you have one. Does it light normally? If you have a gas fire, does that work? If nothing gas powered in your home is working, you'll need to check:
- Your gas meter to ensure the supply hasn't been turned off
- Whether you've had a power cut that might have affected the gas valve
- If there's any work being done on gas mains in your area
⚠️ Safety First: If you smell gas or suspect a leak, don't use any electrical switches or naked flames. Open windows and doors, turn off the gas supply at the meter if you can safely do so, and call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. They operate 24/7 and will send someone out quickly.
4. Double Check Your Thermostat and Timer Settings
You'd be surprised how often we turn up to jobs in Dalgety Bay or Aberdour only to find the timer's gone haywire after a power cut. British Summer Time changes are another common culprit, especially with older timers that don't update automatically.
Check these settings:
- Is your timer set to provide hot water when you need it? Many systems have separate settings for heating and hot water
- Is the hot water programme actually switched on? Look for indicator lights
- If you have a hot water cylinder thermostat, is it set high enough? It should be around 60°C to kill bacteria but not so hot it scalds
- Room thermostats should be set above 20°C for the boiler to fire up properly
Some modern smart thermostats can lose their settings after updates or power cuts. If you've got a Nest, Hive, or similar system, check the app to make sure everything's still programmed correctly. We've seen cases where the app shows one thing but the actual unit is doing something completely different!
5. Try Resetting the Boiler
Sometimes your boiler just needs a wee rest and restart, much like turning your computer off and on again. Most boilers have a reset button, though where it's located varies by model.
Before resetting:
- Note down any error codes showing
- Make sure the pressure is correct
- Check the power supply is on
Press and hold the reset button for about 5 seconds, then release it. The boiler should attempt to restart its ignition sequence. Give it a few minutes to complete the process.
Important: If it fails to light after one or two attempts, don't keep pressing reset. Repeated failed ignition attempts can flood the combustion chamber with gas, which is dangerous.
6. Could It Be a Frozen Condensate Pipe?
During those bitter Fife winters when the haar rolls in from the Forth, frozen condensate pipes are incredibly common. The condensate pipe carries acidic wastewater from your boiler to an outside drain.
To thaw it safely:
- Pour warm (not boiling) water along the pipe
- Use hot water bottles or warm cloths wrapped around the pipe
- A hairdryer on a low setting can also work
- Once thawed, reset your boiler
7. Check Your Water Supply
If you're only having issues with hot water from certain taps, the problem might not be your boiler at all. Check if cold water is flowing normally from all taps. In areas with older infrastructure, like parts of old Dunfermline near the Abbey, water supply issues aren't uncommon.
Is your stopcock fully open? Sometimes these get accidentally knocked during DIY or cleaning. The internal stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink or in a downstairs bathroom. Make sure it's turned fully anticlockwise.
When to Call The Heat Network
If you've worked through all these checks and your hot water still isn't playing ball, it's time to bring in the professionals. There are several issues that definitely need expert attention:
Faulty diverter valves: These direct hot water between your radiators and taps. When they fail, you might get heating but no hot water, or vice versa.
Heat exchanger problems: Scale buildup is common in hard water areas and can reduce efficiency or cause complete failure.
Electrical faults: Printed circuit boards, pumps, and fans can all develop faults that need proper diagnosis.
Internal leaks: Water inside the boiler casing is serious and needs immediate attention.
As your local Dunfermline heating engineers, we see these problems regularly across Fife. We stock common parts for most boiler makes and can often get your hot water running the same day.
Need Help? We're Your Neighbours
At The Heat Network, we've been keeping Dunfermline and Fife warm for years. We're not some big national company that'll keep you waiting for days. We're your neighbours, based right here in Dunfermline, and we understand how important it is to get your hot water sorted quickly.
Prevention is always better than cure. Regular boiler servicing catches small issues before they leave you with cold showers. We recommend annual services, especially for boilers over five years old.
01383 660098
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Whether you're in Kirkcaldy, South Queensferry, Burntisland, or anywhere in between, we'll get an engineer out to you promptly. No confusing jargon, no unnecessary work, just honest advice and quality repairs.
