PLUMBING & HEATING
MERCHANTS CAN CASH IN ON CLEANER WATER
By working with installers to actively promote the benefits of effective water treatment for heating systems, merchants can help drive demand and create business building opportunities.
W
hen a householder’s boiler breaksdown, they invariably blame the boiler or the lumber who installed it. However, the
biggest single cause behind the 3.2 million boiler breakdowns that occur each year is the presence of poor water quality in the heating system. That’s according to Alice Luckraft, Trade Director at ADEY, who says: “ Sludge and corrosion are known to compromise how effectively the boiler can operate and, in some cases, unfortunately lead to poor operational efficiencies and even system failure.” It is not just older systems that are affected either. Luckcraft says that approximately 15% of all boiler breakdowns happen in the first year of operation, with over half of these are caused by the presence of sludge.1 “With energy efficiency concerns and escalating energy bills also on the mind of the consumer, addressing system water quality can deliver tangible results in this area. Estimates show that a boiler system with enhanced water quality operates more effectively and will contribute potential energy savings of £80 a year as it does so,” she says.
Working together
However, the curse of contaminants in system water can be overcome if effective testing, preventative and ongoing treatments are put in place to protect the nation’s boilers. Luckcraft says that merchants have role to play here by working together with their installer customers to help educate the consumer about the hidden risks inferior water quality brings. “Merchants can take the opportunity to raise the profile of effective water quality testing and treatment with installers who are face-to-face with clients. Being able to share some of the stark statistics that state the water quality case can be helpful in alerting people to a problem that will not go away.”
Luckcraft believes that it is worth reminding both installers and consumers that problematic heating systems do not always have to lead to boiler replacement which is both inconvenient and expensive for the homeowner. “Adopting the principles of water quality testing, flushing
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out systems and applying regular water quality treatments could well solve many operational issues and delight the
homeowner who does not have to find the means to fund a new boiler installation.
“Likewise, the importance of following the same process should be communicated in the event of a new install. Connecting a new boiler to a legacy water system that has been tested, flushed and will be regularly treated and monitored going forward, ensures the boiler has the best chance of performing to its energy efficiency peak and will not become one of the first year boiler breakdowns the industry and clients reluctantly have to deal with.”
As consumers become more aware of the potentially costly issues around their system water quality, so demand will grow for successful preventative and corrective solutions, meaning extra business for both parties and happier householders with fewer boiler breakdowns.
Effective answers
Luckcraft says that the new ADEY ProCheck makes it even easier for installers to tackle this issue offering onsite analysis of system water via an app, providing instant certified and trusted validation of system health.
“The ProCheck test kit and app uses advanced technology that makes it easy for installers to show homeowners the results immediately, indicating whether further action is required or providing reassurance that the system water has been treated and the system is healthy. This also benefits the installer by reducing the need for a second visit as any quality issues identified can be dealt with there and then,” she says. It works by taking a water sample from the central heating system and doing a dip test using the dedicated ProCheck strips supplied with the kit. This strip is placed on a test card before being scanned to the app using the phone camera, to be analysed and verified. ADEY ProCheck has been tested and the process approved by
KIWA Gastec, to specifically look at the three main areas of concern; protective inhibitor levels, corrosion, and the dangers posed by the pH level present. A report is immediately created with the results and actions required.
“On-site testing and instant lab-style results through ADEY ProCheck enables installers to carry out corrective work there and then, with no need to revisit the property,” Luckcraft continues. “Results can be emailed directly from the app or viewed later via a report management system. The personal report management system helps to keep track of tests completed and users can also view reports or resend result emails from an easy-to-use dashboard. All this gives independent validation that a property has been left in optimum system health by the engineer before leaving the property. These exclusive propositions could truly set the contractor apart from the competition and help to win future jobs.” Merchants can stock the ADEY ProCheck kit which comes in a compact hard case and includes a testing pot, 25 dip test strips and 10 test cards. Purchase includes a year’s free subscription to the report management system where users can generate and email test reports directly from the app and view all their historic reports over time.
“Greater levels of awareness backed by access to proven solutions such as ADEY ProCheck, could be a winning commercial formula from which everyone benefits,” Luckcraft says. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2020
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