Your central heating likes its water system to be treated
Your central heating likes its water system to be treated
There are several products that serve as auxiliary items for your central heating system so that it operates normally, and then there are those that work independently to give you the service you want. Either way, a well looked after heating system will run more efficiently for you. Our Government and environmental activists have been telling us to switch off lights, turn TVs completely off instead of leaving them on standby, and lower the temperature of our washing machines as well us the thermostats of our rooms. These environmentally conscious steps not only save the greenery on our planet, but also save the pound notes in our wallet. So how to make your central heating system run efficiently and reduce carbon dioxide? Your gas central heating’s efficacy decreases when limescale deposits and sludge accumulate in it.
To prevent a mass of gunk 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. A wide assortment of water treatment products is easily available like gunk remover, scale reducer, anti-freeze, magnetic scale fighter, noise reducer, electronic scale inhibitor, and the like.
In the UK, depending on where you live, your water could range between hard and soft. If you find a build up of limescale in your kettle and on your shower head you probable live in a hard water area. Limescale deposits inside boiler parts, pipework and radiators increases energy consumption and can lead to banging and bumping in the pipework. You may be surprised to hear that you bills can increase by as much as forty percent with just a thin layer of limescale in your hot water cylinder. 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. Water treatment works in different ways, it can change the structure or prevent the formation of solid or remove the offending particle altogether.
You can find out the ph and chloride, iron and copper levels with chemical test kits, which will allow you to measure the likely corrosion rate in your system.
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. Every gas connection should be carried out by a CORGI, Gas Safe, registered professional.
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.
Heating systems get their supply of water from the main water source of your household and many mechanisms can be connected to the main source to solve water issues, yet, you should keep in mind that water softening systems installed for your home are only meant to serve your household needs and will not help with the hard water problem affecting your central 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 sludge are the main causes of heating system damage.
Right from the time the system is installed and commissioned, internal conditions can cause corrosion to set in. Corrosion causes gunk in the system which can restrict the circulation causing cold spots on your radiators. Pinholes can develop in the radiators which can make the boiler noisy when heating up.
Hard water contains magnesium and calcium and these minerals deposit as limescale in the system. The deposits thicken when the water is heated, this leads to formation of a hard crust over a period which eventually blocks pipes etc. This can also make the system noisy and uneconomical, you will be paying for gas that does not heat your home.
Fungal and bacterial growth is another menace to vented heating systems. They gets into the heating system through open tanks. Once in the system it breeds producing slime and sludge. If the growth occurs in pipework, it can decrease the efficacy of the entire system.
A lot of free advice is available on the internet on how to get rid of biological growth. Take a look at this for a few minutes to improve your awareness. Kick-start with the manufacturers and their web sites. This site contains a list of manufacturers, and the products that they produce and sell to help maintain your central heating. Blogs also offer ample source of free help and information or you can contact the companies with any questions.
All the best with your water treatment, let energy conserving heating and hot water with lower household bills rule.