Six steps to a healthy heating system

A new boiler is a significant investment for any household and boiler breakdowns are inconvenient and distressing.  A clean system reduces the chance of the boiler breaking down, as well as extending its life.  Graham Collins, Training Support Manager at Baxi, explains the importance of a healthy heating system.

A few simple steps will help installers meet BS 7593:2019, the British Standard Code of Practice for the commissioning and maintenance of domestic central heating and cooling water systems, which came into effect on 31 May 2019 and is referenced in the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide, which is a supplementary document to Approved Document L of the Building Regulations.

There are also many benefits for the householder of a properly maintained heating system, which the installer can explain while they are carrying out the work.  Running a boiler on a clean system if far more energy efficient and heat output of radiators is more effective, so they should see substantial savings on their heating bill.  If a boiler breaks down under warranty because of debris and sludge in the system, the boiler warranty may be invalidated.  And the more energy efficient the boiler is, the lower its carbon emissions, so the householder will be doing their bit for the environment, too.

Six easy steps

1. Clean using chemicals to remove any sludge that has built up in the pipes, radiators and boiler.  Even new systems should be cleaned to remove any debris from the installation, such as solder or grease
2. Flush the system before commissioning a new boiler or during an extensive repair so that the system water is free of any sludge.
3. Fit an in-line filter, for example an Adey Micro2 magnetic system filter, after cleaning the system to collect any magnetite that occurs in the future. The filter should be cleaned at the same time as the boiler’s annual service is carried out.
4. Protect the system with chemical inhibitors that will prevent the formation of sludge and scale and help to keep the boiler and heating system efficient and reliable.
5. Test the system water as part of the boiler’s annual service to check that the water is clean and the level of inhibitor is correct.
6. Maintain the system by re-dosing with chemical inhibitors every five years, or following work on the system that may have diluted the chemicals, and by checking and cleaning the magnetic filter.
   
   

To help installers reassure their customers and give them complete peace of mind, the new Baxi 800 range of boilers comes with a compact Adey Magnaclean Micro2 magnetic system filter to protect the heating system and a 10-year parts and labour warranty.

Find out more here.