Are you cleaning your system often enough?

The UK trade marketing manager for Sentinel, Daniel Cheung, claims, 'an up close and personal' approach is essential to maintaining a long-term, healthy, heating system. 

Filthy water circulating in your heating system is both common and damaging, as corrosion is the number one cause of boiler breakdowns. Corrosion can cause other expensive problems with your boiler including; repairs, part replacement, complete boiler failure, increased energy consumption, ineffective heating as a result of radiator cold spots, loss of boiler warranty and higher heating bills. 

Research from two leading boiler manufacturers found that in over 5000 homes 35% of heating systems under 5 years old and more than 50% of systems over 5 years old contain dirty circulating water. It is recommended for heating engineers to always consider dirty water when looking for solutions to boiler issues. For example, 'if the heat exchanger is clogged in a relatively new system' of it the pump shaft is broken it could be because of rust flakes in the water.

Considering a dirty system doesn't end with checking the quality of system water, but should also include a system cleanse. In order to do this effectively, the correct cleaning agents must be used and this is determined by the type of dirt present in the system. it is similar to how you wouldn't use shampoo to wash your clothes or washing up liquid to wash your toilet, different cleaning chemicals do different jobs. 

there are three main types of cleaners:

  1. cleaners for new systems

  2. cleaners for heavily-fouled, older systems

  3. fast-acting cleaners for older, more lightly-fouled systems

The cleaners designed for new systems are made to remove installation debris, greases and oils from new components, and flux residues. In summary, contaminants that are particularly prevalent in new heating systems.

In comparison, cleaning agents for older systems are primarily focused on removing corrosion deposits. 

In most cases, more severely corroded systems require more heavy duty products whereas, systems that require the removal of dirt can be cleaned with fast-acting, one-hour cleaner.  

Experts claim, 'correct system cleaning is a prerequisite to effective protection and maintenance'. On the other hand, if there is fouled water circling a system, then any attempt to protect that system will be compromised. 

In summary, it is important to ensure your system is clean in order to have it running with optimum health at maximum efficiency. 

 

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