The efficiency of a heating system can be greatly reduced by the build-up of sludge and lime scale. Without the correct use of water treatment the efficiency of a boiler can reduce by 6% in just 3 weeks, going from band ‘A’ efficiency to band ‘D’.
Why Use Water Treatment?
Legislation states minimum provisions for new systems in new and existing dwellings:
- Central heating systems should be thoroughly cleaned and flushed out before installing a new boiler
- During final filling of the system, a chemical water treatment formulation should be added to the primary circuit to control corrosion and the formation of scale and sludge
- Where the mains water hardness exceeds 200 parts per million, provisions should be made to treat the feed water to water heaters and hot water circuit of combination boilers to reduce the rate of accumulation of lime scale.
(Domestic Heating Compliance Guide, as referred to in Part L Building Regulations)
Benefits
- Chemical water treatment has been proven to maintain the energy efficiency of a central heating system and extend system life.
- Correct water treatment offers an inexpensive way to improve efficiency therefore reducing fuel bills and cutting CO2 emissions.
- The vast majority of system defects are related to incorrect commissioning procedures, therefore correct cleaning and protection will reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
- Maintain system efficiency which can reduce by up to 10% with a thin layer of scale formation.
- Extend the life of appliances which can burn out more quickly in hard water areas.