Vaillant Boiler F.28 Error Code — Meaning & Repair Cost (2026)
The flame signal was not detected during the ignition phase. Below: the most likely causes, and what the matching repair costs — Estimated national ranges with a metro localizer. Reviewed July 2026.
What F.28 means
The flame signal was not detected during the ignition phase.
Likely causes, most common first
- Low gas pressure
- Faulty gas valve
- Ignition electrode fault
- Frozen condensate pipe
Base: 1 published national repair-cost guide (retrieved 2026-07) · full source registry on the methodology page · Code meaning & causes · Reviewed July 2026
What it usually costs to fix Estimated
F.28 on a Vaillant boiler resolves to the boiler ignition fault / lockout problem. Vaillant parts typically run ×1.25 against the mainstream baseline (German-engineered premium UK boiler brand. A direct installed-cost comparison shows Vaillant running £2,000-£3,500 vs Worcester Bosch's £1,500-£3,000 for equivalent combi/full-system installs (roughly 15-25% above Worcester Bosch at comparable tiers), and Vaillant posted the lowest 2025 warranty-claims rate (0.8 per 1,000 units) of any major UK boiler brand — consistent with premium-grade componentry.), and the ranges below already include it.
$110–$1,425 national estimate to fix the fault behind F.28 (Vaillant parts ×1.25). Enter a ZIP to localize.
| Most common repair | Typical total | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition electrode / ignitor replacement | $110–$440 | DIY possible |
| Ignition control module (lockout board) replacement | $340–$1,425 | Pro recommended |
| Gas valve replacement | $225–$1,250 | Pro recommended |
Plus a typical service-call / diagnostic fee of $75–$150, often credited toward the repair.
Pick a quality tier for a class-typical estimate, or a specific brand to override it (brand adjusts the parts portion only). Enter a ZIP or Canadian postal code to localize to your metro's labor costs. Everything updates without a page reload; no data leaves your browser except the shard lookup.
Base: 2 published national repair-cost guides (retrieved 2026-07) · full source registry on the methodology page · National base range (BLS OEWS May 2025 + BEA RPP 2024) · Reviewed July 2026 · Estimated
Codes are universal — your location changes the repair price, never the code's meaning. See the methodology for the exact localization formula and sources.
Reviewed by a Red Seal–certified appliance technician who also holds a Technical Safety BC gas ticket (Gas-C) and an ODS/halocarbon refrigerant ticket (CFC/HCFC/HFC).