Regular maintenance is key if you want your Gas boiler and central heating to run efficiently year round. Over time, dirt can build up, reducing your boiler and heating systems efficiency and this will cost you money. Here’s how to stop it and save money!
Sludge is an accumulation of excess iron-oxide particles mixed with water that forms over time within a central heating system and can ultimately if left untreated, cause serious damage to the integral parts of your boiler, especially the heat exchanger which is usually the most expensive part of your boiler to ever change. The sludge also often clogs up your central heating pipework, your radiators and values. In short, the sludge causes poor circulation within your entire central heating system resulting in it taking longer to heat your home, and burning more fuel for longer to do so.
Regular maintenance is essential if you want your boiler & central heating system to run like a well-oiled machine all year round. Just like a car, boilers need a good service to keep them in tip-top condition.
Ensuring that your boiler is serviced annually, cold spots, bleeding your radiators can help prevent the dirt and grime that can build up, however, there are more long-term steps that you can take to protect your system.
A power-flush can be an excellent way of getting all of the sludge inside of your system cleaned out and the radiators feeling like new. Power-flushes are effective as sludge is heavier than water, which means that once sludge forms, it reduces the flow of the water around the system. The sludge will continue to build up and cause cold spots on your radiators all whilst increasing your energy bills as your boiler has to work harder for longer to warm your home. A power-flush is a powerful, low-pressure flow of water and chemicals through your system to dislodge sludge, dirt and rust, to allow your system to run with clean central heating water – just like new!
If you have very old radiators in your home, a power-flush isn’t always recommended as sometimes radiators can split if they are particularly damaged from sludge and rust. Under these circumstances, it may be time to upgrade your radiators.
Magnetic filters should be fitted to your system which can have a significant impact towards the health of your boiler, as the excess dirt and iron-oxide particles are attracted to the magnet within the filter. This prevents the build-up of sludge and reduces the strain upon your boiler.
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