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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
your heating is stuck on and your home is overheating

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stop the heat source first: turn the heating controls to OFF, then switch off power to the heating system if it keeps running and you can do that safely. While you do this, move people and pets into the coolest available room or outside fresh air if the home feels unsafe.

Do not do these things

  • Do not rely on opening windows alone while the system keeps heating; ventilate where it helps, but shut the heat source down if you can.
  • Do not remove boiler covers, touch internal wiring, or force valves if you are not trained.
  • Do not ignore a carbon monoxide alarm, a gas smell, or symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, confusion, collapse, or loss of consciousness.
  • Do not leave babies, older adults, unwell people, or pets in the hottest rooms while you troubleshoot.
  • Do not keep using an electric heater that will not switch off.

What to do now

  1. Move everyone and pets away from the hottest area. Use the coolest safe space available, often a shaded lower-floor room, hallway, or outside fresh air if the home feels unsafe.
  2. Cool that space without adding risk. Close curtains or blinds on sunny windows, open windows only where it makes the space cooler or gives fresh air, and use a fan if it helps and there is no gas or carbon monoxide concern.
  3. Try the normal heating controls.
    • Set the thermostat very low and set heating mode to OFF.
    • Check the timer, programmer, smart thermostat, or app and set heating to OFF, not “auto”.
    • Turn radiator TRVs fully down or off where you can.
  4. If the heating is still running, isolate it safely.
    • For boiler-based heating, switch the boiler or heating system off at the fused spur or isolation switch if you can clearly identify it, or use the boiler’s own power button if it is obvious.
    • For an electric room heater or storage heater, switch it off at the wall switch or isolator. Keep clothes, curtains, bedding, papers, and furniture away from hot surfaces.
    • For communal or district heating, turn room controls and TRVs down or off, then contact the building concierge, managing agent, housing provider, or emergency repairs line.
    • Only use the consumer unit if the circuit is clearly labelled and you are confident. Otherwise, stop and get help.
  5. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, you smell gas, or you suspect carbon monoxide, leave the property. Open doors or windows if they are on your way out and easy to open. In a suspected gas or carbon monoxide emergency, do not touch electrical switches while leaving. Call the gas emergency number from fresh air:
    • Great Britain: 0800 111 999
    • Northern Ireland: 0800 002 001 If anyone has severe symptoms, call 999. If you suspect carbon monoxide exposure but symptoms are not severe, contact NHS 111 for medical advice.
  6. If anyone seems heat-unwell, cool them now. Move them to a cooler place, remove unnecessary clothing, give cool water in small sips if they are fully alert, and cool skin with cool water, damp cloths, or wrapped cold packs.
  7. Get medical help for heat illness if needed. Call 999 if someone is confused, has a seizure, collapses, loses consciousness, has very hot skin, or has fast breathing or shortness of breath. Contact NHS 111 if someone is still unwell after 30 minutes of cooling or you are worried about symptoms but it is not an emergency.
  8. Arrange urgent property help.
    • If you rent, report it as an urgent repair to your landlord, letting agent, council housing repairs team, housing association, or out-of-hours repairs number. Say the heating will not turn off, the indoor temperature is rising, and whether you have isolated power.
    • If you own, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas heating, or an appropriate heating or electrical professional for electric and communal systems.

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose whether the fault is the thermostat, programmer, relay, motorised valve, wiring, boiler control board, or communal heating system.
  • You do not need to decide on parts, quotes, replacement systems, or compensation while the home is still overheating.
  • You do not need to bleed radiators, adjust boiler pressure, or reset settings repeatedly as a first step for heating that is stuck on.

Important reassurance

A heating system that will not stop can feel alarming, but the first aim is simple: reduce exposure to heat, stop the heat source where you safely can, and bring in emergency or repair help if needed. Once people and pets are cooler and the system is isolated or reported, you have bought time.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to stabilise the situation. Fault-finding, gas work, electrical work, landlord disputes, insurance decisions, and repairs may need qualified or specialist help later.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice. If you suspect carbon monoxide, gas danger, fire risk, or serious illness, use the appropriate emergency service.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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