Common problems guide

The most common Glow-worm Space Saver problems

The faults most likely to send a Glow-worm Space Saver into lockout — with plain-English causes, what to check first, estimated repair costs and whether you need a Gas Safe engineer.

This model is discontinued. Parts can be harder to source and expensive. If repair costs are mounting, a new A-rated boiler may be the smarter choice.
8 documented codes
6 most common
4 DIY-safe checks
2 engineer needed

The 6 most common faults

01
Neon 1 NOT lit High DIY-safe

Your boiler appears to have no power reaching it, which is likely caused by an external electrical issue or a blown fuse inside the unit.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the electrical circuit feeding the boiler is broken, meaning the unit cannot receive the power it needs to operate. The most common reason is a blown fuse within the boiler's internal control board or an issue with the external power switch on the wall. In some cases, a power surge or a failing internal component can cause the fuse to pop as a safety precaution to protect the sensitive electronics.

What to try first

Check if your home's main fuse board (consumer unit) has tripped and flip the switch back if necessary.Locate the fused spur switch near the boiler (usually a wall switch with a red light) and ensure it is turned on.Check if other appliances in the house are working to rule out a general power cut.

Est. cost
£80-180
Parts
PCB Fuse, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), External Fused Spur
Full guide for Neon 1 NOT lit
02
Neon 2 NOT lit High DIY-safe

Your boiler has switched itself off because it has reached an unsafe temperature or a safety sensor has detected a fault.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the water inside the boiler gets too hot, causing a safety switch to trip and shut the system down to prevent damage. The most common reasons are a pump failure that stops water from moving or a buildup of sludge and scale that blocks the flow through the heat exchanger.

What to try first

Locate the overheat reset button under the boiler control panelPress the button firmly to reset the tripEnsure all radiator valves are open to allow water to circulate

Est. cost
£90-180
Parts
Overheat Thermostat, Control Thermostat, Circulation Pump
Full guide for Neon 2 NOT lit
03
neon1 High DIY-safe

Your boiler is not receiving the correct electrical power, meaning it cannot start the ignition process to provide heating or hot water.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler's internal controls detect that the main electrical power is either missing or interrupted before it can reach the ignition system. The most common reason is an external fuse that has blown or a loose connection in the wiring that prevents electricity from flowing correctly through the unit. Without this steady power supply, the boiler cannot safely trigger the spark needed to light the flame.

What to try first

Check your home's main fuse box or consumer unit to see if a circuit breaker has tripped.Ensure the boiler's isolation switch (usually a fused spur near the boiler) is turned on.Check if other electrical appliances in the house are working to rule out a local power cut.

Est. cost
£90-180
Parts
External fuse, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), Wiring harness
Full guide for neon1
04
neon2 High DIY-safe

Your boiler has likely stopped heating because it has reached an unusually high internal temperature and has shut down as a safety precaution.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler's internal water temperature exceeds a safe limit, triggering a safety sensor to cut the power. It is often caused by a failing pump that isn't circulating water quickly enough or a buildup of sludge and debris blocking the heat exchanger. The system shuts down completely to prevent internal components from melting or warping due to excessive heat.

What to try first

Wait for the boiler to cool down completely.Locate the overheat reset button on the control panel or underside of the unit.Press the reset button firmly to see if the boiler restarts.

Est. cost
£90-180
Parts
Overheat Thermostat, Pcb, Pump
Full guide for neon2
05
Neon 3 NOT lit High Engineer

Your boiler has stopped working because it cannot confirm that the internal fan is safely clearing waste gases from the system.

Why it happens: This fault happens when the boiler's safety system cannot detect a steady flow of air through the unit. It is usually caused by a fan that has seized over time or an air pressure switch that has failed to send the signal that waste gases are being safely removed. In some cases, bits of debris or moisture can block the small plastic tubes that monitor air flow, preventing the boiler from firing up.

Est. cost
£120-300
Parts
Fan motor, Air Pressure Switch, Venturi tube
Full guide for Neon 3 NOT lit
06
Neon 4 NOT lit High Engineer

Your boiler has failed to light the pilot flame or cannot verify that the burner is safely lit, resulting in no heating or hot water.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler tries to start but fails to establish or maintain the small pilot flame needed to light the main burner. The most common reasons are a blocked pilot hole preventing gas flow or a worn-out sensor that can no longer detect the heat from the flame. Without confirmation that it is safe to stay lit, the boiler shuts down as a safety precaution.

Est. cost
£120-280
Parts
Thermocouple, Pilot Injector, Gas Valve
Full guide for Neon 4 NOT lit

on the Glow-worm Space Saver

PCB FusePrinted Circuit Board (PCB)External Fused SpurOverheat ThermostatControl ThermostatCirculation Pump

Based on parts cited in our fault code database. Your engineer will confirm what's actually needed after diagnosis.

Call a Gas Safe engineer if…

  • You can smell gas or see signs of a leak
  • The Glow-worm shows an Emergency or High severity code
  • The boiler keeps locking out after repeated resets
  • You've tried the DIY checks and the fault hasn't cleared
  • There's visible water leaking from the boiler
  • The flame is yellow or orange instead of blue
See the full 8-code list for the Glow-worm Space Saver