Gas Boilers Information

Can you service your central heating boiler with softer water

There are many optional products that are available to add to your central heating system to keep it running on a regular basis, and there are others that you can install and let them do the work for you day by day. Regardless, a gas central heating systems that’s given proper care will work for you smoothly. The Government and environmental agencies repeatedly tell us about the ways to conserve energy like switching off the lights and appliances when not in use, re-adjusting the temperature of the room and washing machine according to the needs, and not leaving any electrical device in the standby mode. All the above enlisted ways effectively save energy, protect the environment and bring down the electricity bill. Are you paying the same attention to your central heating system? The heating system is also prone to reduced efficiency caused by corrosion, limescale formation and sludge buildup.

It usually happens in areas where hard water is present, you can go for water treatment to avoid these deposits.

The term ‘water treatment’ is one that is used to describe various methods of taking care of your system. Various products of water treatment are available like electronic line and magnetic filters, noise reducers, sludge removers, anti-freeze and scale reducers and inhibitors.

The UK has water types ranging from hard to soft based on the region where you live. Limescale deposits are common in areas that get hard water, and these deposits are first seen on kettles, taps and shower heads. Any accumulation of limescale will make your system run less economically and therefore increase your heating bill. The energy cost in a boiler cylinder with limescale lining can be 40 percent more than a clean boiler leading to more expensive gas bills. Basically, limescale is just the build up of calcium deposits. Although those living in soft water areas will not have to take as many provisions, if you are unsure you should still get professional advice.

The water treatment options work by changing water’s molecular structure, it changes the way water behaves. Water treatment works in different ways, it can change the structure or prevent the formation of solid or remove the offending particle altogether.

If you want to determine the corrosion rate inside your heating system, you can do so by using these chemical kits which measure the chloride, copper and iron levels and measure the pH.

The first thing that you need to do is to determine whether your system has been installed by a competent person or not; if different metals like aluminum and copper or brass are connected together, corrosion will set in immediately. The gas connections should be made only by a trades person, who is Gas Safe registered (with CORGI).

It is a good idea to plan ahead, if you are having a new system installed, think which water treatment you will require as some can be fitted to your system. Before using a water treatment remedy on your present system, ensure that the entire heating system is completely flushed out.

The central heating system will take water from the main pipeline, and in this line, even if a functional water treatment method is already there to tackle the problem of hard water this method will be of no use for your heating system. They will help make detergents and soaps lather more readily but do not help in the fight to get your heating system working efficiently.

Limescale formation, acidic corrosion and bio-chemical gunk are the main causes of heating system damage.

The first problem that you may have to face is corrosion, it can start as soon as the system is installed and filled with water. One of the symptoms of corrosion is cold spots in your radiators because sludge in the system prevents the water circulating properly. Pinholes can develop in the radiators which can make the boiler noisy when heating up.

In hard water areas the calcium and magnesium in the water causes limescale. Heat causes these minerals to precipitate and bit by bit encrust the inner lining of pipes, leading to obstruction. Again, the symptom of this can be a heating system that makes noise.

Biological growth in the system is another one to avoid. This is usually introduced into the system through open tanks. After the biological matter gets into the tank it begins to breed and produces sludge and slime. In addition to the tank, they grow into the pipes and block them; thereby the efficiency of the system is further reduced.

Various forums and websites provide useful information on water treatment. Take out time to go through a few pages of free advice. Lets first have a look at the manufacturers. Below is a list of manufacturers and some of the popular products they have available. You can also gain additional information and seek advice through different blogs or forums, some may be run by the manufacturers.

In order to ensure that your central heating system works efficiently and your home bills are also cut, find out the best water treatment method and apply the recommended treatments every year.