Lower your energy charges with softer water supply for your gas boiler
Lower your energy charges with softer water supply for your gas boiler
You can find a number of products that can be added to your central heating system to help it run smoother as well as some products that can take care of themselves. Irregardless of which you choose, you should take proper care of your heating system, only then can it perform efficiently. 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. By doing all this, you not only cut down on the electricity account, but also protect the environment. 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 gunk accumulate in it.
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. A wide range of water treatment products including scale reducers and inhibitors, magnetic and electronic lime fighters, gunk removers, noise reducers and anti-freeze are available.
Living in the UK means that depending on whereabouts you are in the country, your water can range from hard to soft. If you are living in hard water region, then you will be more susceptible to limescale attacks; you can notice deposits in your kettle, tap and shower head. Limescale reduces efficiency and adds to heating bills. Your fuel bills can increase by 40% even with small deposits of limescale in your cylinder. When calcium carbonate precipitates out of the hard water, it forms limescale inside the boiler. Soft water area residents should not worry too much, but it doesn’t hurt to ask for help if you are not so sure.
A majority of water treatment methods alter the molecular structure of water and the associated particles, and thereby changes the way water behaves. One way of modification is to convert a structure completely to another, another is to take out the mischievous component, and yet another way is to prevent the structure from becoming solid, thus leaving its normal process unrealized.
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.
Your system must be installed by a professional, never connect brass or copper to aluminum as this can lead to corrosion through the interaction of these metals. All gas connections must be made by a CORGI registered tradesperson.
If you anticipate hard water problems, you can fit out your new central heating system with a suitable water treatment attachment. If you are revamping the old system, you should rinse out the whole system before adding the water treatment method.
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 gunk are the main causes of heating system damage.
Corrosion will begin as soon as the tank is filled with water. Your radiators can suffer from cold spots caused by restricted circulation as a result of gunk created in the system by corrosion. 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.
Limescale results from the presence of calcium and magnesium in water, hard water regions have these elements more than the rest of the country. The deposits thicken when the water is heated, this leads to formation of a hard crust over a period which eventually blocks pipes etc. Again, the symptom of this can be a heating system that makes noise.
Biological growth in the system is another one to avoid. This problem occurs when tanks are open as they are in certain types of central heating system. After entering into the system, they starts breeding and produce slime and gunk. This sludge stagnates in the plumbing and slows down the flow of hot water.
You can learn more about these problems on the internet. It would be wise to take time to go through some of this information. Kick-start with the manufacturers and their web sites. You can see below a list of some of the most popular products and their manufacturers. Forums and Blogs are another good source of free advice and wholesome information; you can also use these to directly get in touch with the suppliers.
All the best with your treatment and let’s hope you can get your heating systems working as expeditiously as possible to save you some hard cash.