A well-functioning central heating system is essential for maintaining comfort in your home, especially during the cold months. One of the key components of a central heating system is the water that circulates through the pipes and the boiler. Maintaining the quality of this water is critical for ensuring the efficiency, longevity, and safety of your system.
Contrary to popular belief, boiler water should not need to be changed unless it is of really poor quality. In most cases, adding a high-quality boiler water treatment product, such as Fernox boiler additive, can help improve the quality of the water and protect your system from damage.
One of the most common questions homeowners have about boiler water treatment is whether or not you can add too much inhibitor. The simple answer is no. You can never add too much inhibitor to your central heating system, and dosing it up cannot cause any damage. In fact, adding more inhibitors is only a good thing for your system, as it will provide even more protection against corrosion, scale buildup, and other problems.
To ensure the optimal quality of your boiler water, it is important to monitor several key parameters, including:
The pH of your boiler water should remain between 10.5 and 11.0 to prevent acidic corrosion.
The alkalinity of the water is also important, as it helps control corrosion and prevent scale buildup.
A phosphate test can help you determine if your boiler water is at the right levels to protect your system.
Finally, if you have a new boiler or are planning to get one, it is a good idea to have a magnetic filter fitted and a limescale inhibitor put through your system. This will ensure that your boiler is protected from day one and that it runs more efficiently over time.
In conclusion, maintaining the quality of your boiler water is a critical task that should not be overlooked. By monitoring key parameters, adding high-quality inhibitors, and changing the inhibitors once a year, you can protect your home comfort, safety, and efficiency for years to come.
