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Boiler works for heating but no hot water

Radiators warm but taps cold usually points one way on a combi: the diverter valve.

What it actually means

A combi boiler decides where to send heat with a diverter valve. When that valve sticks or wears, you often get one service but not the other: heating fine, hot taps cold, or the reverse.

Before blaming the valve, rule out the simple stuff: temperature settings turned down, a summer or eco mode, or a scale-clogged plate heat exchanger in hard water areas.

Try this first, before you spend a penny

  1. 1

    Check the hot water temperature setting

    It sounds daft, but a knocked dial or an eco mode is a free fix.

  2. 2

    Run the hot tap wide open for a minute

    A sticky diverter sometimes shifts with full flow demand.

  3. 3

    Check pressure and any fault codes

    Low pressure or a code changes the diagnosis: look that code up instead.

When it is a pro job

A worn diverter valve or scaled-up plate heat exchanger needs an engineer. Both are routine jobs with the case open, which is Gas Safe work.

Gas Safe registered heating engineer

Typical UK range for a diverter valve or plate heat exchanger job on a combi, parts included. Exact price depends on your model.

£150 to £400

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