Why do boilers break down more in cold weather?

What would you do if your boiler stopped tomorrow? For most of us, the answer involves a cold shower, a kettle that never gets a rest and a lot of phone calls. It's never convenient, but it always seems to happen just as the temperature drops.

That isn't just bad luck. Boilers really do break down more often in cold weather. In this guide, we'll look at why it happens, what you can do to lower the risk, and how boiler cover can help if yours does give up.

In this blog

1. Why do boilers break down more in cold weather?
2. What happens if your boiler breaks down and you don't have cover?
3. What does boiler cover include?
4. Is boiler cover worth it?
5. Can you add servicing to your boiler cover?
6. Is your boiler ready for winter?
7. Frequently asked questions

Why do boilers break down more in cold weather?

For most of the summer, your boiler ticks along quietly, heating water for the odd shower and the washing up. Then autumn arrives, and it's suddenly running for hours every day. That jump in demand is when small problems tend to show themselves. These are the most common reasons.

1. It's working much harder

Once the heating comes on, your boiler goes from occasional use to firing up several times a day. Parts that have been wearing gradually over the year, like pumps, fans and valves, come under far more strain, and that's often when they finally fail.

2. The condensate pipe freezes

Most modern boilers are condensing boilers, which send waste water outside through a small plastic pipe. In a cold snap, that water can freeze and block the pipe, and the boiler shuts itself down to stay safe. It's one of the most common reasons for a winter callout. If it happens to you, pouring warm water (never boiling) along the outside pipe can often thaw it and get things going again.

3. The pressure drops

Your boiler needs the right water pressure to run, usually between 1 and 1.5 bar when the heating is off. Bleeding radiators or a small leak somewhere in the system can cause the pressure to fall, and you might not notice until the heating doesn't come on. Your boiler manual will show you how to check the gauge and top it up.

4. Faults show up after a summer off

When the heating hasn't been used for months, sludge can settle in the system and parts can stick. Minor faults that went unnoticed in summer often come to light in the first properly cold week, which is exactly when you need the heating most.

5. It's getting older

Boilers don't last forever, and older ones tend to find winter demand harder going. If yours is getting on a bit, or it's out of its manufacturer's warranty, it's worth keeping a closer eye on it as the weather turns.

6. It's overdue a service

A service is the best chance to catch a worn part before it lets you down. If it's been a while since yours was last checked, our guide on why annual boiler servicing could save you hundreds explains what an engineer looks at.

What happens if your boiler breaks down and you don't have cover?

Without cover, a breakdown usually means finding an engineer yourself, and in winter that isn't always easy. Lots of other people are calling at the same time, so you might be ringing round several companies and waiting a few days for someone to come out.

In the meantime, there's no heating and often no hot water. That's uncomfortable for anyone, but it's harder still if you have young children or older relatives at home, or you work from home. And until an engineer has taken a look, you won't know what the repair will involve or what it might cost.

What does boiler cover include?

Boiler cover is there for the moment your heating or hot water stops completely. With boiler cover from BIG Warranties, you call our claims line and we'll arrange an approved engineer to come out and fix it, so you're not left ringing round in the cold. Your cover includes:

• Callouts, parts and labour, up to £2,500 per claim and £5,000 a year, including VAT
• Up to three claims a year
• Any make and model of boiler up to 15 years old
• A contribution towards a new boiler if yours can't be economically repaired: £500 if it's under six years old, or £250 if it's older
• A 24-hour claims line, so you can let us know whenever something goes wrong

You can take out boiler cover on its own, or add it to your home emergency cover so that plumbing, drainage, electrics and more are looked after too. Our guide to winter home emergencies explains what home emergency cover includes.

Is boiler cover worth it?

That depends on your home and how much you rely on your boiler, but it's especially worth considering if:

• Your boiler is a few years old and out of its manufacturer's warranty
• You have young children or older relatives living with you
• You work from home and need the heating on during the day
• An unexpected repair bill would be difficult to manage
• You're a landlord and need to keep heating and hot water working for your tenants, in which case landlord boiler cover is designed for you

For a lot of people, it simply comes down to knowing who to call when it matters.

Can you add servicing to your boiler cover?

Yes, you can add an annual boiler service to your policy. A yearly service helps keep your boiler running efficiently and gives an engineer the chance to spot problems early, before the cold weather puts them to the test. Anyone working on a gas boiler should be registered with the Gas Safe Register.

Is your boiler ready for winter?

Boilers break down more in cold weather because that's when we ask the most of them. A service, a quick look at the pressure gauge and knowing what to do if the condensate pipe freezes can all go a long way. And if something does go wrong, it helps to know there's someone on hand to sort it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get boiler cover if my boiler is already broken?

Boiler cover is there for faults that happen after your policy starts, so it won't cover a breakdown that's already happened or a problem that was there beforehand. It's best to take cover out while your boiler is working well.

Can I claim towards a new boiler straight away?

The contribution towards a replacement boiler doesn't apply in the first 30 days of your policy. After that, if your boiler can't be economically repaired, we'll put £500 towards a new one if it's under six years old, or £250 if it's older.

Is there an excess to pay?

That depends on what you choose when you set up your policy. You can choose a £95 excess, a £60 excess, or the no-excess option. If you choose no excess, a £60 excess still applies to claims made in the first 90 days.

Ready to feel prepared this winter? Get a boiler cover quote today.