Local · WN4

No Hot Water, Heating Works? How It Varies by Boiler Type in Ashton-in-Makerfield

When your radiators are toasty warm but the shower or bath only runs cold, it's a frustrating situation. You're likely wondering if you need a whole new boiler or if it's something simpler. The good news is, for this specific symptom, the problem is rarely the boiler's main components failing. Instead, it points to the system that directs where the heat goes. Understanding your boiler type – whether it’s a combi, system, or conventional setup – helps narrow down the likely culprits and how we approach fixing it here in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Call 07752 200878 Get a written quote

Engineer checking a boiler's diverter valve, a common cause of no hot water but heating works.

Postcode

WN4

Council

Wigan Council

Nearest road

A49 Warrington Road

From Wigan

4 miles south

Why locals choose Brogas here

Brogas is a Gas Safe registered plumbing and heating business covering Wigan and surrounding towns. We diagnose boiler faults systematically, testing signals, movements, and flows. You receive clear explanations and a plan for efficient resolution.

Typical no hot water but heating works — how it differs by system type and age work in Ashton-in-Makerfield

For Ashton-in-Makerfield householders and landlords dealing with how it differs by system type and age. Local housing stock — Edwardian terraces along Warrington Road and generous 1950s semis toward Bryn — shapes how this work is carried out.

You have a combi boiler and radiators are hot, but no hot water.
Your system boiler heats radiators, but the hot water cylinder stays cold.
You have a conventional boiler setup, heating works, but your immersion is fine.
The boiler makes a noise when you ask for hot water, but nothing comes out hot.
Hot water used to be intermittent, now it's completely gone.

Combi Boilers: Diverter Valve Diagnostics

In a combi boiler, the diverter valve is critical. It switches between heating your radiators and heating your domestic hot water. If this valve gets stuck on the heating side, you'll get no hot water. This is very common in older combi units, especially those installed in areas like the 1950s semis around Bryn, where some older installations might be nearing the end of their design life. We check the diverter valve cartridge for wear or seizing, and the actuator motor that operates it for failure. Sometimes, a domestic hot-water flow sensor can also be faulty, failing to tell the boiler you've opened a hot tap.

Diverter valve cartridge stuck or worn
Diverter actuator motor failed
Hot water flow sensor not registering demand

System & Conventional Boilers: Cylinders and Sensors

System and conventional boilers, typically found in larger Edwardian terraces along Warrington Road, store hot water in a cylinder. If your heating works but there's no hot water, the diverter valve (often a three-port or two-port valve) directing flow to the cylinder is the primary suspect. It might be stuck on the heating circuit, bypassing the hot water cylinder. Another common issue is the cylinder's thermostat or NTC sensor failing to demand heat, or the motorised valve itself not opening correctly. We also check for heavily scaled plate heat exchangers if it's an indirect cylinder, reducing efficiency.

Motorised valve (zone valve) failed or stuck
Cylinder thermostat or NTC sensor fault
Primary circuit flow issues to cylinder

Plate Heat Exchanger & NTC Sensor Issues

Regardless of boiler type, a plate heat exchanger can cause this fault. In combi boilers, it’s responsible for transferring heat to your hot water instantly. If it's scaled up, especially in hard water areas, or sludged from system debris, hot water flow will be significantly reduced or non-existent, even if the heating works. For any system, an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) sensor, which measures water temperature, can misread. If it thinks the hot water is already at temperature when it isn't, the boiler won't fire for hot water. Our diagnostics systematically test for these issues.

Plate heat exchanger scaled or sludged
Domestic hot-water NTC sensor faulty
Poor water flow through exchanger

Nearby areas we also cover

Atherton5 miles east of Wigan
Pemberton2 miles west of Wigan
Westhoughton6 miles east of Wigan
WiganWigan town centre

Read up first

Ashton-in-Makerfield FAQs — no hot water but heating works — how it differs by system type and age

Is this a serious boiler fault?+

While inconvenient, this fault is rarely indicative of a boiler's main components failing. It usually points to a specific part of the hot water generation or diversion system. It's often repairable without replacing the entire boiler, depending on the age and condition of the affected components. We aim to diagnose accurately rather than replace speculatively.

Can I fix this myself?+

Boiler work, especially on gas appliances, must only be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tampering with gas systems is extremely dangerous and illegal if you are not qualified. We strongly advise against any DIY attempts to diagnose or repair boiler faults. For your safety, always call a professional.

How do you diagnose this specific problem?+

Our process is systematic. We first check for the demand signal from your hot taps, then confirm proper actuator movement on diverter or zone valves. Following that, we assess flow through components like the plate heat exchanger. This logical sequence helps us pinpoint the exact fault efficiently, saving time and avoiding unnecessary part replacements.

What if my boiler is very old?+

For very old boilers, particularly those found in some older properties around Ashton-in-Makerfield, component availability can sometimes be an issue. While we always aim to repair, if parts are obsolete or the repair cost is high relative to the boiler's remaining lifespan, we will advise you honestly on the best course of action. Manufacturer warranty statements depend on model and registration — check your documentation.

In summary

No hot water but heating works usually means a diverter valve, sensor, or heat exchanger issue, varying by boiler type. Brogas provides Gas Safe diagnosis and repair.

No Hot Water But Heating Works? Call Brogas Today.

If your radiators are hot but your taps run cold, contact us for an expert diagnosis and repair. We'll get your hot water back.

Book an Engineer: 07752 200878 Message us