Rads not working

Thataone

Hello, I was wondering if you could help me.
I'm renting a house at the moment and noticed the heating wasn't coming on. All radiators upstairs and down are ice cold, even with the thermostat turned up full whack. I'm afraid I don't know how long this has been going on for as I've been away for the past week. Tried leaving the heater on (according to the timer and thermostat, it's on) but there's not the usual clunks and noises from the attic so I'm starting to fear the worst.

Heating in the house is run off gas as far as I know and we've also been having electrical problems, I know plumbing and electrics aren't necessarily the same, but perhaps there's a link?

Wearb

You really need to contact the landlord. The fact that you don't know your heat source suggests that you need to have the whole system and controls explained to you. As a tenant, there is only so much you can do, or are even allowed to do with the heating system.

Thataone

Giving the landlord and buzz in the morning anyway. I'll be the first to admit that I know nothing about these things, just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything blatantly obvious that could be done or definitely shouldn't be done between now and when this can get seen to. Should I take off the timer? Don't know if that will do harm or if there's any point in leaving it on just for a little light to come on to say the heating is on while we freeze to death !

Wearb

I wish I could be of more help, but I don't see how. Everyone should have at least a simple backup heater, whether that be an oil-filled electric radiator or fan heater, or a non back-boiler open fire or stove (in case of power loss). These will keep a small room comfortable in an emergency and are not too expensive.

rubadub10

As someone has already said you should contact the landlord.But in the meantime you should check your gad boiler.This will be mounted on an outside wall somewhere in the house and it will be in a press.If you go outside the house and have a look you'll see the gas vent sticking out of the wall,it's about 6" in dia.This will give you the location of the boiler.If,as you said,there are electrical problems this could be your fault as the boiler needs an electrical connection to work.Check the plug and plug fuse for connection also check your fuse board for any tripped switches.That's about all you can do on your own but I would get in touch with the land lord straight away as tonight is going to be very cold.Good luck.

Thataone

Fuse board looks good, had a look at the boiler and nothing is glaringly obviously out of sorts (but I'd be a poor judge of that!) though haven't checked the fuse as of yet. Landlord's mobile is off and won't let me leave a voicemail and briquette delivery is due tomorrow so nothing to burn on the fire, guess this just isn't my night! I've a major exam tomorrow first thing so need to prioritize that. Oh well, thank you all for your help, I'll be tucked up with my duvets and some hot water bottles!

Ocean Blue

Thataone wrote: »

Hello, I was wondering if you could help me.
I'm renting a house at the moment and noticed the heating wasn't coming on. All radiators upstairs and down are ice cold, even with the thermostat turned up full whack. I'm afraid I don't know how long this has been going on for as I've been away for the past week. Tried leaving the heater on (according to the timer and thermostat, it's on) but there's not the usual clunks and noises from the attic so I'm starting to fear the worst.

Heating in the house is run off gas as far as I know and we've also been having electrical problems, I know plumbing and electrics aren't necessarily the same, but perhaps there's a link?

Is this your first winter living in this property? Do you know how to operate the system? My tenants called me out before for rads not working. They actually had the radiator switch in the hot press turned off for the summer so as to have hot water heated by the boiler but no central heating. Come autumn they had forgotten about the switch!