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uk Home & property emergencies heating stopped suddenly • no heating in winter • boiler stopped working • indoor temperature dropping fast • house getting cold quickly • central heating not working • radiators cold • thermostat not working • power cut affecting heating • gas boiler not firing • no hot water and no heat • freezing in the house • keep warm without heating • safe portable heater use • carbon monoxide worry • smell of gas at home • landlord not fixing heating • emergency heating failure • vulnerable person cold home • prevent pipes freezing

What to do if…
your heating system stops working and the indoor temperature is dropping fast

Short answer

Get everyone into the warmest safe room, add layers/blankets, and quickly rule out gas or carbon monoxide danger. Then report the breakdown immediately (landlord/repairs line or your cover/engineer) and make a backup “somewhere warm tonight” plan early.

Do not do these things

  • Do not use outdoor heaters, BBQs, camping stoves, or a cooker/oven to heat a room — this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Do not run a portable heater while you sleep, or leave it unattended.
  • Do not plug high-power heaters into extension leads or multi-plug adapters.
  • Do not try to dismantle or “fix” gas appliances yourself.
  • Do not ignore “flu-like” symptoms affecting more than one person (headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion) — treat this as possible carbon monoxide exposure.
  • If you rent, do not jump straight to withholding rent — it can backfire. Focus on reporting, documenting, and getting advice if repairs are not done.

What to do now

  1. Stabilise heat loss (10 minutes): Stay in one main room, shut internal doors, close curtains/blinds, block obvious draughts with towels, and keep people off cold floors (shoes/slippers, blankets on the sofa).
  2. Check for immediate gas/CO danger first:
    • Smell gas or strongly suspect a gas leak: get outside (or to fresh air) and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
    • Suspect carbon monoxide from a fuel-burning appliance (gas/oil/solid fuel): move everyone into fresh air. If it could involve a gas appliance, you can also call 0800 111 999 to report it. If anyone has symptoms, get medical advice (NHS 111; call 999 if someone is very drowsy/confused, collapses, has breathing trouble, chest pain, or you can’t keep them awake).
  3. Do only “safe, simple checks” (2–5 minutes): confirm the heating controls are set to “on” and scheduled correctly, the thermostat has power/batteries, and your electricity/gas supply is actually on (including any prepayment credit). If you’re not sure, stop here — don’t start dismantling anything.
  4. Reduce burst-pipe risk if it’s very cold: open cupboard doors under sinks so warmer air can reach pipes; keep internal doors slightly open for air circulation. If you know temperatures are near/below freezing and you can do so safely, letting a cold tap drip can help keep water moving.
  5. If you rent (private, council, housing association):
    • Report it immediately to your landlord/agent (or repairs line) and say: “No heating and indoor temperature dropping quickly — urgent repair needed.”
    • Put it in writing as well (text/email) and take timestamped photos of the thermostat/boiler display and a room thermometer reading if you have one.
  6. If you own the home (or you’re responsible for repairs):
    • Call your boiler cover/emergency heating engineer and book the earliest available visit.
    • For any gas boiler work, use a Gas Safe registered engineer and check their registration details before work starts.
  7. Use safe “short-term warmth” measures:
    • Hot drinks and a hot meal if you can.
    • Hot water bottle (warm, not boiling) or extra blankets/layers.
    • Portable electric heater only if you can use it safely: plug directly into a wall socket, keep well away from bedding/curtains, and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  8. Decide early if you need to leave for warmth (especially with children, older adults, or medical conditions):
    • Arrange to stay with a friend/family member, or use a hotel if you safely can.
    • If you cannot safely stay warm at home, contact your council/housing provider’s emergency line (or out-of-hours service) and explain it’s a no-heating emergency.

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose the fault or search for parts right now.
  • You do not need to decide about replacing the whole boiler tonight.
  • You do not need to argue about compensation right now — document everything first, then deal with disputes once heat and safety are stable.
  • If you’re vulnerable (or live with someone who is), you can look into support such as your energy supplier’s extra-help services later — not tonight.

Important reassurance

Feeling panicky when your home suddenly turns cold is normal — cold makes everything feel more urgent and harder to think through. You’re not trying to “solve heating”; you’re doing three things: keep people warm, avoid carbon monoxide/fire risks, and get the right person on the way.

Scope note

This is first steps for the next few hours. Repairs, complaints, compensation, and longer-term heating options come later — and are easier once everyone is warm and safe.

Important note

This is general information, not a substitute for professional advice. If you suspect a gas leak or carbon monoxide exposure, prioritise getting to fresh air and using emergency services. If anyone is at higher risk from cold (babies, older adults, chronic illness), act earlier on the “somewhere warm” plan.

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