一、暖氣壞咗？先做以下自查

Part 1: Heating Stopped? Try These Checks First

📌 自查步驟整理自 British Gas、Which? 及 Plumbox 的鍋爐故障指引

📌 Self-check steps sourced from British Gas, Which? and Plumbox boiler fault guides

英國冬天暖氣失靈係相當常見，尤其係舊樓。唔係每次都需要維修員上門——部分問題可以自己解決。

Heating failures are common in UK winters, especially in older properties. Not every problem needs an engineer — some can be solved quickly at home.

簡單自查步驟

Quick self-check steps

• 查看溫控器：確認溫度設定正確、電池有電，且設定溫度高於室溫
• 查看鍋爐壓力錶：理想讀數應在 1.0 至 1.5 bar 之間；過低可能令暖氣無法運作，需用注水環（filling loop）重新加壓
• 暖氣片放氣（Bleeding）：若暖氣片頂部冷但底部熱，代表內部有積聚空氣。關閉暖氣並待其冷卻後，用專用鑰匙逆時針轉動排氣閥，聽到嘶嘶聲（空氣排出）直至有水流出後鎖緊即可
• 檢查冷凝管（Condensate Pipe）：氣溫零度以下且鍋爐發出咕嚕聲後停機，可能是室外白色塑膠冷凝管結冰。可用溫水（切勿用沸水）澆淋管子融冰
• 查看保險絲／斷路器：暖氣系統的保險絲有否跳掣
• 查看預付費電錶（Pre-payment meter）：確認餘額充足
• 查看氣體供應：其他煤氣電器（如煤氣爐）能否正常使用

• Check the thermostat: Is it set high enough, are the batteries dead, and is the set temperature above room temperature?
• Check boiler pressure: The gauge should read 1.0–1.5 bar; too low and the heating may not work — use the filling loop to repressurise
• Bleed the radiators: If a radiator is cold at the top but warm at the bottom, trapped air is the likely cause. Turn off the heating and let it cool, then use a radiator key to open the bleed valve anticlockwise — hold a cloth nearby. When water (not air) flows out, close the valve
• Check the condensate pipe: In freezing temperatures, if the boiler makes a gurgling sound then shuts off, the outdoor white plastic condensate pipe may be frozen. Thaw it with lukewarm water (never boiling)
• Check fuse box: Has the heating circuit tripped?
• Check pre-payment meter balance: Ensure there's sufficient credit
• Check gas supply: Are other gas appliances (e.g. cooker) working?

二、保暖措施（等待維修期間）

Part 2: Keeping Warm While Waiting for Repairs

📌 臨時保暖建議整理自 Shelter England 及 GOV.UK 寒冷天氣補助指引

📌 Temporary warmth guidance sourced from Shelter England and GOV.UK Cold Weather Payment information

• 關上用唔到的房間門，集中保暖一個主要空間
• 電熱毯或電暖爐可作臨時補充（注意安全使用）；租客有權要求業主提供臨時電暖爐
• 穿多層衣服，特別注意頭部及腳部保暖
• 使用窗簾及門縫擋風條（draught excluder）減少熱量流失
• 飲熱飲，吃有熱量的食物
• 如家中有老人或小孩，考慮暫住親友家中

• Close off unused rooms and heat one main living space
• Use an electric blanket or fan heater temporarily (use safely); tenants can request their landlord provides temporary electric heaters
• Layer up clothing — keep head and feet warm
• Use curtains and draught excluders to reduce heat loss
• Drink hot drinks and eat warming foods
• If elderly or young children are affected, consider staying with friends or family

三、租客權利

Part 3: Tenant Rights

📌 租客權利資料來自 Shelter England、GOV.UK 及 Urban Jungle

📌 Tenant rights information sourced from Shelter England, GOV.UK and Urban Jungle

在英國，業主有法定義務確保暖氣及熱水系統正常運作。冬季暖氣故障屬「緊急情況」，業主通常應在 24 小時內採取行動。

In the UK, landlords have a legal duty to ensure heating and hot water are working. A heating failure in winter is generally treated as an emergency — landlords are typically expected to take action within 24 hours.

• 立即書面通知：發現故障後立即以電話並同步電郵或短訊通知業主或仲介，保留所有通訊記錄及照片
• 切勿擅自扣租：即使暖氣壞了，也不應自行扣除租金，否則業主可能以此為由驅逐租客
• 聯絡 Environmental Health：若業主拒不維修，可聯絡當地議會的環境衛生部門，他們有權強制業主維修
• 寒冷天氣補助（Cold Weather Payment）：如領取特定福利且氣溫連續 7 天低於 0°C，可能自動獲得每週 £25 補助——查閱 gov.uk/cold-weather-payment 確認資格

• Report immediately in writing: Notify your landlord or agent by phone and simultaneously by email or text; keep all records and photos
• Do not withhold rent: Even if heating is broken, deducting rent unilaterally could give the landlord grounds for eviction
• Contact Environmental Health: If the landlord refuses to act, contact your local council's Environmental Health team — they have powers to compel repairs
• Cold Weather Payment: If you receive certain benefits and temperatures fall below 0°C for 7 consecutive days, you may automatically receive £25 per week — check eligibility at gov.uk/cold-weather-payment

四、重要聯絡

Part 4: Key Contacts

📌 聯絡資料來自各機構官方網站

📌 Contact details sourced from respective official websites

• 煤氣緊急（煤氣味）：0800 111 999（全國煤氣緊急熱線）
• 一氧化碳中毒症狀：即召999
• British Gas緊急維修：0333 202 9802
• 地方議會Environmental Health：查閱你所在地議會網站

• Gas emergency (smell of gas): 0800 111 999 (National Gas Emergency)
• Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms: call 999 immediately
• British Gas emergency repairs: 0333 202 9802
• Local council Environmental Health: check your council's website

參考資料

References