Processing your area water system to assist your boiler
Processing your area water system to assist your boiler
Manufacturers have made multiple products and services that you can add to your gas central heating system to help it to perform efficiently for a longer period of time. Either way, a well looked after heating system will run more efficiently for you. It is now well known, thanks to advice given by governments and environmental organisations, that we should save energy wherever possible by turning off lights, washing clothes at lower temperatures, switching televisions off and turning down thermostats. By doing all this, you not only cut down on the electricity account, but also protect the environment. 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 gunk buildup.
To prevent a mass of sludge and limescale from building up in your system, especially where the water is hard, you must try water treatment.
The lifeblood of your heating system is the water that runs through it – Water Treatment maintains that water at an optimal quality to prevent damage and breakdown of the central heating system. sludge extractors, limescale inhibitors, electronic and magnetic lime reducers, anti-freeze compounds and noise reducing agents are some of the extensive water treatment products sold in the market today.
The UK has water types ranging from hard to soft based on the region where you live. If you spot limescale formation inside your kettle or bath taps, there is probably hard water running in your taps. These deposits decrease the cost-efficiency of your system which in turn increases your household bills. A thin layer of limescale can increase your fuel bills by 40 percent. Limescale is simply calcium deposits in your system. Those who live in soft water areas need not take quite so many precautions but it is always wise to seek advice if you are unsure.
Many water treatments produce the desired effect by changing how water molecules and the particles inside act through modifications of their structure. Some methods change one structure into another; a few others, remove the interfering structure; and the remaining, prevent the formation of limescale.
There are chemical test kits which will measure the ph and chloride levels and also the iron and copper levels so that you can measure the probable corrosion potential and rate.
Remember that when two different metals are connected (for example- aluminium and brass), an anode and cathode polarity is created thus starting the process of corrosion; this is something that a competent technician should watch out for when installing your system. The service technician fitting your gas connections should possess CORGI certification, this is now called Gas Safe and is a legal requirement.
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. If you are upgrading your current system, you must cleanse your whole system before any water treatment chemicals are added.
It is worth noting that mains water supplies heating systems, but that any system you use to soften water will not help with any central heating problems that you may be having. These solutions can make detergent and soaps to lather effortlessly, but they will not be able to help the heating system to work efficiently.
Limescale formation, acidic corrosion and bio-chemical sludge are the main causes of heating system damage.
From the very instant your heating system is in place corrosion can begin. Corrosion causes sludge in the system which can restrict the circulation causing cold spots on your radiators. Pinholes can also appear in the radiator and if the problem is not sorted out in good time your boiler could start to make noises.
Hard water has a higher concentration of calcium and magnesium salts which cause limescale deposits within the system. Once the water is heated it leaves deposits of these minerals which form a hard crust, building up over time and blocking pipes etc. This again can manifest itself with a noisy heating system.
Biological growth is another thing that should be avoided at all costs. The growth enters the system through open tanks in certain types of heating system. After managing to enter the system, it spreads by creating slime and gunk. In addition to the tank, they grow into the pipes and block them; thereby the efficiency of the system is further reduced.
You can learn more about these problems on the internet. It would be wise to take time to go through some of this information. Manufacturers of water treatment products provide detailed data and user references on their websites. Some well known manufacturers and their popular products are listed in this site, such as Sentinel or Fernox. Besides inquiring for information with company sources, you should also read opinions on specialised blogs.
So wish you all the best for your water treatment, make sure you chose the one that is effective and at the same time reduces your household bills by helping you maintain an efficient gas central heating system.