High
Hb on Ideal HP290

Your heating system has shut down because it is struggling to circulate water properly while detecting very cold temperatures within the unit.

Call an engineer soon

Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24 to 48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.

What the manual says

Manufacturer manual

High Flow/Return Differential, 3 times in succession and Flow Temperature <7°C

From this model's manual
Verified against the Ideal Hp290 installation & service manual, page 93.
Plain-English guidance below. Severity, DIY steps, costs and parts are our interpretation to help you act, not text from the manual.

What causes this fault?

This fault occurs when the boiler detects that water is not moving through the system quickly enough to carry heat away, combined with an internal temperature that is dangerously close to freezing. The most common reason is a blockage in the pipework or a failing pump that prevents the water from circulating. Because the water is sitting still in freezing conditions, the boiler shuts down to prevent the internal pipes from cracking due to ice expansion.

This fault is almost exclusively seen during the winter months, as it requires both a circulation issue and an external temperature low enough to drop the unit's internal water below 7°C.

Engineer required

This is a high severity fault. Stop using the boiler and call a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.

Find a Gas Safe engineer
Search the official register →

Avoid the next call-out bill

A cover plan would handle faults like Hb: no call-out fees, no surprise bills.

Approved partner
Domestic Appliance Guard
Unlimited call-outs, 24/7 helpline, no price-hike promise
Get a quote →

Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Related fault codes

Related guides you might find useful