Heat a House with a Broken Boiler – Quick Fixes and Safe Workarounds

When your broken boiler, a heating system that no longer produces hot water or steam, also called faulty boiler fails, it can turn your living room into an ice box. A broken boiler requires immediate attention because the whole house loses its main heat source, and the chill can affect pipes, comfort, and even health. Below we’ll walk through the most practical stop‑gap ways to keep warm while you arrange a professional fix.

Temporary Heating Options

One of the fastest ways to restore warmth is to bring in a portable heater, an electric or gas unit you can move from room to room. These devices supply direct heat, letting you focus warmth on the spaces you use most. Portable heaters provide localized heat, which means you don’t have to heat the entire house while the boiler is down. Choose an electric model for indoor safety, or a certified propane heater if you need more output in larger rooms.

Another solid choice is an electric radiator, a wall‑mounted panel that radiates steady heat. Radiators plug into a standard outlet, run quietly, and can be installed in a few minutes. They’re especially handy in bedrooms or home offices where you spend long periods. Pairing a radiator with a portable heater lets you create a layered heating strategy—quick bursts of heat from the heater, and continuous warmth from the radiator.

If you own a fireplace or wood‑burning stove, now is the perfect time to dust it off and use it as a primary heat source. Wood stoves produce reliable, long‑lasting heat without electricity, making them ideal during power outages that sometimes accompany boiler failures. Just remember to keep the chimney clean and follow local safety codes.

For those who need a temporary solution that covers more than one room, consider a ductless mini‑split system, a heat pump unit that can be mounted on a wall and supplies both heating and cooling. Mini‑splits are energy‑efficient and can be run on a single circuit, delivering heat to multiple zones with a single outdoor compressor. While the upfront cost is higher than a portable heater, the flexibility pays off during prolonged boiler downtime.

All of these options reduce the risk of frozen pipes—a common worry when central heating stops. By keeping a single area above 55°F (13°C), you stop water in the walls from solidifying and bursting. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the coldest room and adjust your temporary heaters accordingly.

While you’re juggling these short‑term fixes, it’s crucial to schedule a boiler repair service, a certified technician who can diagnose and restore the main heating system. A professional can pinpoint why the boiler quit—whether it’s a failed pump, a broken thermostat, or a pressure issue—and replace the faulty part. Getting the repair done quickly gets your whole‑house heat back on and saves you money compared to running multiple electric heaters for days.

Before the technician arrives, you can perform a few simple safety checks: make sure the boiler’s pressure gauge is within the 1–1.5 bar range, bleed any radiators that are unusually cold, and reset the boiler’s internal safety switch if it has one. These steps often clear minor glitches and give the plumber a clearer picture of the problem.

Remember that using electric heaters raises your electricity bill, so try to limit their use to essential rooms and turn them off when you leave. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to lower the temperature in unused spaces to keep costs down.

In short, a broken boiler doesn’t have to mean a cold house for long. By combining portable heaters, electric radiators, or a mini‑split with a prompt boiler repair visit, you keep your family comfortable, protect your plumbing, and avoid surprising utility spikes. Below you’ll find a curated list of guides that dive deeper into each temporary heating method, troubleshooting tips, and step‑by‑step repair advice, so you can pick the right solution for your situation.