Flushed For Success?

As consumers continue to put price high up the priority list, it may be tempting for installers to try to make their quote more competitive by leaving out water treatment or showing this as an optional extra.

However, this could come at a hidden cost, leading to poor efficiency, breakdowns and disgruntled customers. Here, Paul Clancy, managing director at Baxi Potterton Myson explains why installers
should be promoting the importance of a powerflush and water treatment… As homeowners look to save money, it may be a tempting option for them to cut corners to reduce
the cost of any heating maintenance works in their home.
However, as an industry, we need to raise awareness of how
improving the efficiency of existing heating systems isn’t just about
installing high efficiency boilers – it’s about seeing the whole picture.
After all, while replacing an ageing, inefficient boiler with a high
efficiency model will undoubtedly reduce carbon emissions and
energy costs, for the boiler to perform well and deliver the optimum energy and carbon savings, as well as end user
comfort, water treatment products need to be included in the installation too.

Worse still, It may sound sensational, but failing to clean,
flush and inhibit a system adequately could mean that the
boiler could break down in a matter of weeks. Not exactly the
recipe for a happy customer. As such, it is vital, as an industry, that
we actively promote the importance of a powerflush and
water treatment prior to a new boiler installation.

Powerflushing works by creating a powerful flow of fresh water to
remove debris from the system, the boiler and the hot water
cylinder (if there is one fitted) – each radiator is also cleaned
individually to remove any scale or debris. It is an important part of
central heating system care prior to a new boiler installation, and is
a one off expense.

A powerflush will clean the system water thoroughly, and provided a
quality inhibitor is used afterwards to treat the systems and prevent
subsequent corrosion build-up and limescale formation; there is no
need for additional powerflushes.
It is vital that adequate inhibitor levels are maintained particularly if
the system has been drained. For example, when removing a radiator, in order to decorate, or if there has been a leak or pressure loss with the system.

The impact of cleaning and protecting a previously sludged system can be significant. In fact, according to independent testing verified by The CarbonTrust, cleaning and protecting a system can provide up to a 15 per cent gas saving every time a room is heated up. To make additional energy savings, adding central heating filters to capture any circulating contaminants will also improve system longevity and efficiency.

Naturally a homeowner might be hesitant about spending extra
money on water treatment and filters, but when the energy
savings, and the positive effect on boiler life are explained, they
should see it’s worth the investment.

A heating engineer is best placed to educate them on how their
heating system works and why sludge in the system can leave
them without a boiler when they need it most. Explaining to
customers that systems that are blocked with sludge and debris
mean the boiler has to work harder,for longer, as the circulating water is unable to transfer the heat efficiently, will go a long way to help explain the issue.

What’s more, in an industry where reputation is everything, not
adequately cleaning a system before installation can seriously
damage the reputation of both the heating engineer and the boiler
manufacturer in the event of a breakdown. Fully flushing the
central heating system should be common practise every time a
new boiler is fitted.

For further information on any of the new ranges or product
training from Baxi Potterton Myson, please visit
www.potterton-myson.ie