When winter hits and the heating is working hard, many Hampshire homeowners find themselves dealing with a boiler that suddenly refuses to fire or a pilot light that keeps going out. Before assuming the worst, there are a handful of quick, safe checks you can carry out yourself. In many cases, especially in older homes across Bordon, Whitehill, Liphook and Alton, these simple steps are enough to get the system running again.
Quick checks you can do now
- Is there power to the boiler?
- Is the gas supply on?
- Is the thermostat set correctly?
- Are any error codes showing?
These basic checks resolve a surprising number of issues, particularly during cold snaps when boilers work harder than usual around GU35, GU34 and GU9.
Understanding why your boiler not firing can happen
A boiler can fail to ignite for several reasons, especially during winter. Low gas pressure, frozen condensate pipes, faulty ignition leads and simple thermistor errors are among the most common culprits. Knowing the likely causes helps you work through the steps calmly before calling an engineer.
Check your power and controls
If the boiler display is blank or the controls look inactive, you may have a power issue. This can be caused by a tripped fuse, a switched-off spur, or an issue with your central heating timer.
- Check the fuse box for tripped switches.
- Ensure the boiler’s fused spur is switched on.
- Verify that the programmer or wireless thermostat hasn’t lost its schedule.
Homes in places like Farnham and Alton often experience brief power dips in winter, which can reset boiler controls without you realising.
Check the gas supply and pilot light
If your boiler uses a pilot light, it may have gone out due to a draught, low pressure or a faulty thermocouple. Before attempting to relight it, always read your manufacturer’s instructions. Modern boilers don’t have manual pilots, but older properties in Bordon and Liphook still often do.
- Is your gas hob working?
- Is the emergency control valve fully open?
- Do you smell gas? If yes, stop immediately and call the emergency gas line.
If everything seems normal and your appliance has a standing pilot, you may attempt a relight following the correct procedure.
Frozen condensate pipes
One of the most common winter faults is a frozen condensate pipe. When this pipe blocks, the boiler will lock out until it defrosts.
- Feel the pipe to check for solid ice.
- Pour warm (not boiling) water along the pipe.
- Reset the boiler once thawed.
Homes in exposed areas of GU35 and GU34 see this problem regularly, especially after frosty nights.
Resetting the boiler safely
Most boilers have a reset button on the front panel. Only use it after checking for obvious issues like frozen pipes or extinguished pilots. A reset can clear minor lockouts but won’t fix deeper faults.
Checklist: Before calling an engineer
- Power and controls checked
- Gas supply verified
- Pilot light inspected or relit
- Condensate pipe thawed
- Error codes noted
If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may be dealing with a component fault that needs an engineer.
Next steps
If your boiler still won’t ignite after these checks, it’s time for expert help. Contact us at (01420) 558993