INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL HEATING MAINTENANCE
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Clean water is an essential ingredient in an efficient heating system. John Bailey explains Clean water cannot be assumed, however.
odern heating systems are very sophisticated. Boilers incorporate an array of technologies, materials and
means of control that make them as efficient in operation as possible. Electronic gas and air modulation systems, flame lift detection systems and two-stage and fully modulating pumps can be found within the most modern boilers, helping them achieve full load efficiencies of around 98%. Renewable technologies allow heat and domestic hot water demands to be met, at least in part, by natural resources. Converting energy from the sun – air or ground – has become an increasingly common means of heating our homes and commercial buildings reliably, affordably and cleanly. The controls that knit systems together and
ensure they are meeting our requirements as efficiently as possible are ever more sophisticated too. Electronic control panels, weather and room compensators, wireless sensors, and even controls that can be adjusted remotely via a smartphone app, are no longer the preserve of tech-hungry early adopters. Yet, despite all these technological advances, the most important component of any heating system is perhaps the most basic entity of all – clean water. Without it, the efficiency benefits promised by this advanced hardware will be compromised, sometimes severely.
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In existing systems, water will almost certainly be contaminated with debris, imbalances and scale. New systems invariably contain contaminants and debris from component manufacture or from the system installation work itself, while water from municipal sources will typically contain constituents that, over time, will compromise system performance. Unfortunately, in the pursuit of visible sustainability, the rudimentary is often overlooked in favour of the advanced. A back-to-basics approach is therefore strongly encouraged, whether commissioning an all-new system or refurbishing an existing system with new hardware. The type and extent of debris, dirt and
fouling commonly found inside central heating circuits largely depends on the age and nature of the system and how well – or poorly – it has been maintained. Even well-maintained installations may have accumulations of sludge and scale. Microbiological slimes and contamination may be found in all systems, regardless of age. The natural chemical constituents found
in supply water can also vary and the quality of this water may ultimately have effects on the efficiency and effectiveness of boilers and heating systems. Detrimental effects include metal corrosion, circulating particulate debris, settled sludge, extraneous noise, interference with moving parts, poor water flow or
February 2013 CIBSE Journal 57
Adding a new, clean boiler to a dirty system can achieve very little in terms of efficiency gains
John Bailey
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