For years, water circulates through your pipes and radiators of the central heating system. This water eventually rusts the insides, and it becomes an internal corrosion which results in rusty debris along with sludge. This sludge is can cause serious damage to your boiler and reduce heating efficiency. Magnetic filters provide an inexpensive first-line defence. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Heating System Sludge?
Sludge is a build up of rust, limescale and other gunk that collects in your heating system. It lays down in radiators, pipes and most importantly the heat exchanger of your boiler. This black, sludge-like substance will block the flow of water; making your boiler work harder which in turn could cost you more on your energy bills and potentially breakdown costing a fortune.
Cold spots on radiators, boiler noise, endless repairs and a slower timeframe for heating – all indicate the presence of sludge.
Magnetic filters fit around your pipes. The filter uses a strong magnet to trap iron oxide particles and ferrous sludge in your system, before they have chance to get near the boiler.
Straightforward, successful: This filter catches particles as small as five microns to keep them from circulating and doing harm. During annual services, engineers clean the filter and sludge can be easily collected.
Adding a Magnetic Filter to Your System
The heat exchanger is often the most expensive component of your boiler so you should always keep it as healthy and protected to maintain it. The build up of sludge here will cause overheating so that damage then leads to early failure. Magnetic filters can prevent this from occurring, extending the life of your boiler by years rather than weeks. For Boiler Service Gloucester, visit HPR, a leading Boiler Service Gloucester firm.
Efficiency: Clean systems also heat up quicker and more evenly. Getting rid of sludge can lower your heating bills a lot – up to 6% less energy consumption.
Manufacturers of many boilers will now demand that a magnetic filter be fitted to validate warranties. With out it, you could have your warranty claims rejected.
Installation and Costs
Magnetic filters are often only £100-£150 including installation, which is pocket change compared to what the boiler repair or replacement could have cost you. An installation process in a service may take up to an hour.
Ideal time to act: Fit filters on new boilers straight away for best protection. For existing systems, install with power flushing to remove any accumulated sludge first and then ensure there is no further build up.
Maintenance Requirements
Magnetic filters require minimal maintenance. At an annual boiler service, engineers will close the isolation valves pull out the filter canister and clean any sludge that was collected then put it back. Bulletproofing takes minutes and keeps you safe for years.
