You heating boiler may want you to live somewhere else

There are countless products available in the market that you can add to your heating system to ensure that it runs properly, and there are several other products that can do work for you even in standalone mode. Irregardless of which you choose, you should take proper care of your heating system, only then can it perform efficiently. 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 TVs off and turning down thermostats. By doing all this, you not only cut down on the electricity account, but also protect the environment. But, how will you make sure that your central heating system works efficiently? As the layers of sludge and limescale starts piling up, the efficiency of the system starts dwindling increasing your energy costs.

To stop the build up of limescale and sludge in your system particularly in hard water areas, then you need to take a look at water treatment.

Water treatment is a term used to cover many different ways of looking after 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.

Your location in the UK caninfluence the extent of your water’s hardness or softness. Hard water exposes you to limescale — your kettle, shower head and taps being the most probable areas where you first notice limescale masses. Limescale not only reduces the efficiency of your system, but also increases your heating bills. Your fuel bills can increase by forty percent even with small deposits of limescale in your cylinder. Limescale is simply calcium deposits in your system. Soft water area residents should not worry too much, but it doesn’t hurt to ask for help if you are not so sure.

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.

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 gas connections should be made only by a trades person, who is Gas Safe registered (with CORGI).

If you anticipate hard water problems, you can fit out your new central heating system with a suitable water treatment attachment. However in case you are just updating your existing one, you can start with flushing the system and then think of any water treatment, there are chemicals you can add to your central heating system to reduce corrosion and sludge build up.

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 do not alter the efficiency of your system, they only allow soaps and detergents to produce more lather when washing clothes.

The three main things that you need to prevent are corrosion, limescale and biological growth.

Right from the time the system is installed and commissioned, internal conditions can cause corrosion to set in. Corrosion causes sludge in the system which can restrict the circulation causing cold spots on your radiators. It can cause pinholes in the radiators and if left can cause the boiler to become noisy.

Limescale is caused by calcium and magnesium which is present in the water hard water areas having far more of these minerals than other parts of the country. The deposits thicken when the water is heated, this leads to formation of a hard crust over a period of time which eventually blocks pipes etc. This can also make the system noisy and uneconomical, you will be paying for energy that does not heat your house.

Fungal and bacterial growth is another menace to vented heating systems. The growth enters the system through open tanks in certain types of heating system. It establishes itself in the system and then produces gunk and slime. This material can really make your system under perform by clogging up the pipework.

You can find a lot of information and advice on how to deal with these problems on the internet and in this site. Take a look at this for a few minutes to improve your awareness. It is recommended that you begin with the manufacturers of the various systems. This site contains a list of manufacturers, and the products that they produce and sell to help maintain your central heating. You can also gain additional information and seek advice through different blogs or forums, some may be run by the manufacturers.

Now you should be able to choose and install an effective central heating system which is enjoyable, healthy and economical on both kinds of green!.