What to do if your Boiler Breaks

Written by

Cara Bradley

7 min read

Updated: 20/02/2026

An unexpected expense, such as a broken boiler, is not only an inconvenience to your day-to-day life, but also to your wallet.
If your boiler has given up the ghost, you’ll probably have many questions, such as:

• How much do boiler repairs cost?
• How much will it cost to replace a boiler?
• What happens if I can’t afford a new boiler?
• Could I get a government grant to pay for a new boiler?
• Could I get a personal loan to pay for a new boiler?
• How to stay warm when the boiler has broken

Viva Money covers the above questions and more in our latest guide, What to do if your Boiler Breaks.

Important: what to do if you smell gas

If you can smell gas and/or your carbon monoxide detector is sounding, turn off the gas supply, open windows and doors, and get yourself and other household members, including pets, outside as soon as possible.

Please contact National Gas immediately on their free, 24-hour helpline: 0800 111 999.

What to do if your boiler stops working

Firstly, you may choose to refer to your boiler’s user manual to give you an idea of the problem. Sometimes, the fault may require a simple fix or reboot that you can do yourself. You may be able to find troubleshooting videos for your specific boiler model on YouTube; however, you should never attempt to tackle jobs that should be carried out by a professional.

Energy company eDF has put together this guide to common boiler faults, which you might find helpful.

If you’re not confident troubleshooting the problem yourself or you’re unsure what the issue is, it’s best to leave it to a professional.
Wondering who to call for a broker boiler?
If you rent your property, your first port of call should be your landlord. It is their legal responsibility to make arrangements for fixing or replacing a broken boiler.
If you own your home and the boiler stops working, you should contact a Gas Safe Engineer. If you have time, you may wish to gather quotes from a few different gas engineers to compare prices.

How much does it cost to fix a broken boiler?

How much you could expect to pay towards the cost of boiler repairs will vary based on the type of boiler you have, what’s wrong with it, and the engineer who fixes it.
There are many reasons why your boiler could have stopped working, and some are more straightforward than others.

On average, you could pay between £100 and £500 for boiler repairs. Some faults could be more expensive, some less.

If your boiler is old and the cost of repairs is high, it might be worth looking into whether it’s cheaper in the long run to replace it altogether. Your gas engineer should be able to offer advice and talk you through your options.

How much will it cost to replace a boiler in the UK?

Again, the cost of replacing a boiler will depend on the type of boiler replacement you purchase.
In the UK in 2026, the average cost of a new boiler, including installation, is between £3,000 and £15,000. Of course, this represents a broad spectrum of costs and is based on different types of boilers available, how simple it is to install, and the size of your home.

You can find out more about different types of boilers and explore the potential pros and cons of each in this handy guide, put together by Which?.

What type of boiler is the cheapest to run?

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a condensing gas boiler is typically the cheapest to run, although this will vary from house to house.

What happens if I can’t afford a new boiler?

Can I get help to pay for a new boiler?

Can I get a government grant to replace my boiler?

If you can’t afford to pay for a new boiler, you could be eligible to receive financial support through a grant or scheme.

• Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO)
  The government-backed ECO scheme was put in place to work alongside energy suppliers to help tackle the issue of fuel poverty, as well as encouraging households in England, Scotland, and Wales to be mindful of their energy consumption.
  Under the scheme, energy suppliers are responsible for providing and covering the cost of energy-saving measures in households that need them. This could include the installation of a replacement boiler.
  In order to qualify for help through the ECO scheme, you must receive certain benefits. You must also meet any additional criteria set by your energy supplier.


• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme
  Available to homeowners living in England and Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme could offer a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system with a biomass boiler or heat pump.
  You can check your eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme here.


• Universal Credit Boiler Grant
  If you claim Universal Credit or another type of qualifying benefit, you could be eligible for a Boiler Grant. You can find out more on the Affordable Warmth Scheme website.

Can I get a loan to pay for boiler repairs?

If you don’t have the immediate funds or savings to cover the cost of boiler repairs and you don’t qualify for any grants or schemes, you might wonder whether a short-term, personal loan could be something to consider.
A boiler in need of repairs or replacement is considered an emergency expense by most lenders.

Loans for boiler repairs: is a loan right for me?

It’s important to be aware that you’ll be charged interest when you take out a loan. Interest will be included in your monthly repayment amount, which must be made in full and on time.
Before you search for a loan, you should take the time to work out how repaying a loan will impact your monthly budget.

You should never apply for a loan, or any type of credit, unless you’re confident that you can afford to make your repayments. Making a late repayment or missing one altogether could cause your credit score to decline, and you could be charged a fee by your lender.

Viva Money: Search for a loan for a new boiler

Viva Money is a credit broker. We work with a panel of over 30 UK-based lenders, all of which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
With Viva Money, you could search for a short-term, personal loan between £100 and £10,000 to help you repair or replace a broken boiler. Depending on the amount of money you apply to borrow, you could repay the money over a term between 3 and 60 months.

Who can search for a loan with Viva Money?

You’re welcome to use Viva Money’s credit broking service if you meet the eligibility criteria below.
You must:

• Be over the age of 18;
• Be a UK resident;
• Have a UK bank account and a valid debit card; and
• Have a regular source of income paid into your bank account.

Can I get a loan for a new boiler if I have bad credit?

Yes, you could get a loan for a new boiler, even if you have bad credit, although please note that a bad credit loan could come with a higher rate of interest.

Viva Money is proud to work with several lenders who specialise in loans for people with bad credit, and they could be willing to consider your application.

Can I pay monthly for a new boiler?

Yes, if you’re approved for a loan to pay for a new boiler, you’ll make monthly repayments throughout your chosen term. Remember, your monthly repayments will include interest.

I took out a loan to pay for a new boiler, and I’m struggling to make my repayments; what should I do?

Finding yourself in a position where you’re unable to make your monthly loan repayments can be frightening, especially if you have other financial commitments piling up too.
If you cannot afford to pay back the money you owe, please contact your lender as soon as you can. Remember, your lender is there to help you, and they are trained to deal with such situations with empathy and efficiency. They will be able to talk you through any options that could be useful during this difficult time.

Get free financial advice

From the cost-of-living to debt, if you’re worried about anything money-related, you can get free, confidential advice through the following charities and organisations: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

How to keep warm when the boiler has broken

50% of boiler breakdowns occur during the winter months. If your boiler has stopped working during a cold snap, it’s important to keep yourself warm.

• Layer up. Long-sleeved tops, jumpers, and dressing gowns; do whatever it takes to heat yourself. Don’t forget the importance of keeping your extremities warm – add extra socks and consider full or fingerless gloves.


• Do you have an electric blanket? If you’re dealing with a broken boiler overnight, you might find it helpful to pop the electric blanket inside your bed around an hour before you turn in. A hot water bottle could also be useful.


• An electric heater could help to raise the temperature of a specific room. If you think you’re going to be without a working boiler for several days, you might think about purchasing a portable heater from somewhere like Amazon. You can typically get decent models for as little as £20, excluding delivery. Just remember to keep an eye on your Smart Meter, as electric heaters can quickly eat into your energy usage.


• Close the curtains as soon as the daylight fades.


• Seal gaps under doors with draught excluders. Makeshift draught excluders can be made out of things like rolled-up towels or by stuffing the leg of an old pair of tights with rags.


• Could you stay with a family member or friend while you’re awaiting boiler repairs or replacement?


• Warm Welcome Spaces are set up in over 6,243 locations across the UK and offer a free, safe, warm place to go. You can find your local Warm Welcome Space here.