Central Heating
Do you need help with your central heating system? Learn more about it here. What is central heating? A central heating system provides heat to the entire interior of a home, with heat coming from one point and is distributed to multiple rooms. This is separate from a central cooling system, but when put together, they are called an HVAC system or heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The components of a central heating system In the most basic sense, this heating system is divided into two parts: the part that creates or provides the heat, and the one that distributes the heat. Heat is provided in two forms: space heating to keep your rooms warm, and hot water that is used in your shower and kitchen. The basic requirements here are: a boiler or a furnace – this heats the water piping – this moves the hot water around the home emitters – either radiators or underfloor heating hot water cylinder – this stores hot water for use, except for combi boilers The Boiler The boiler is the most important component of the heating system. The type and size of your boiler will impact its operation and efficiency. There are generally three types of boilers: combi boilers, conventional boilers and system boilers. The Boiler Size The size of a boiler is measured in kilowatts (kW), which is the amount of energy used by the boiler to heat and distribute water through the home using specific calculations by a qualified engineer. Fuel Type Different boilers can burn varied types of fuels such as: Natural Gas...MagnaClean Installation
Are you thinking about getting a MagnaClean installation? Find out more here. What is a MagnaClean filter? A MagnaClean filter is a device that can be installed on a heating system’s return pipework. The filter can help prevent sludge build up, hence eliminating future needs for power flushing. Corrosion produces a black sludge of iron oxide in untreated heating systems. This sludge is slowly and gradually deposited over time in your boiler’s heat exchanges, pumps, valves, the low lying parts of the heating system and the middle part of the radiators.The build up decreases the efficiency of your boiler, costing more power to run the system and eventually very poor performance that cannot heat the rooms properly anymore. Getting a MagnaClean installation can prevent this. How does it work? MagnaClean is simply a filtration system for your central heating system. The MagnaClean filter is an inline capsule device that uses a strong magnetic shaft. The water that is going back to the boiler passes through the magnet. The device attracts all ferro- magnetic debris including iron oxides. The capsule acts as a catching device for the debris enters the boiler, preventing corrosion and damage. This water treatment device can be fitted anywhere in your system, but preferably closer to the boiler where the water returns. When is the best time to do a MagnaClean installation? Typically, MagnaClean installation is done during new boiler installation, or even the installation of a full heating system. However, the filter can also be installed to existing boiler systems after doing a power flush. Is there a need for maintenance? Yes, a...Boiler Explosion
Have you ever heard of boiler explosion? Find out if you are at risk What is boiler explosion? A boiler explosion is the sudden, total and unrecoverable failure of a boiler. There are mainly two types of explosion of boilers. The first type is the failure if the parts of the steam and water sides. This type of explosion can be caused by many factors such as corrosion, low water level or failure of the safety valve. The second type is explosion of air or fuel in the boiler or furnace. This type is commonly called firebox explosion. This is more common in oil- or gas- fired boilers and can be hazardous. What causes boiler explosions? There are generally three things that can cause an explosion in your boiler system: weak shell or other boiler parts over pressure over heating Explosions most often happen because a part or parts of the boiler is too weak to take the pressure from the boiler. On the other hand, firebox explosions usually happen after an extinction of flames from the burner. Over time, fuel such as natural gas, oil fumes, propane or coal can build up in the combustion chamber. These fuels will volatize quickly due to the high temperature in the vessel. After a burner flameout or the extinction of flames, the fuels will become a source of ignition, causing an explosion of the vapors. What happens if a boiler explodes? Fuel explosions can cause damage to the boiler tubes and interior shells, and can trigger failure of the structure, leaks, a secondary shell failure or steam explosion. A...Boiler Corrosion
Learn more about boiler corrosion and how to better take care of your heating system. What is Boiler Corrosion? Corrosion, simply put, is a metal’s reversion to its ore form. For example, when iron corrodes, it reverts to iron oxide. Boiler corrosion is a phenomenon that costs the industry billions of money in revenues. Also known as stress corrosion cracking, caustic cracking or caustic embrittlement, it is the active destruction of sound boiler metal by the pitting action of dissolved oxygen in the boiler water. This creates deep holes in the metal resulting to reduced reliability. What causes corrosion? Corrosion usually occurs when the alkaline level in the water is low or if the metal is exposed to oxygen bearing water. High temperatures and stresses in the metal will also accelerate the corrosion process. Corrosion is commonly cause by the following factors: dissolved gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide under-deposit attack low pH attack of areas weakened by mechanical stress What are the types of corrosion? There are several different types of corrosion: Galvanic corrosion Caustic corrosion Acidic corrosion Hydrogen embrittlement Oxygen attack Carbon dioxide attack How do you stop and prevent boiler corrosion? The procedures in preventing and / or stopping boiler corrosion will vary. This will depend on the type of corrosion present, as well as the specific vulnerabilities of the boiler tube. Generally, the best way to prevent and stop corrosion is through proper maintenance, control and monitoring of your boiler. Ensure that you schedule your boiler service annually so that a gas safe registered engineer can inspect your boiler and ensure it...Gas Safety Tips
Learn a few gas safety tips for using and maintaining your home appliances. We all rely on our gas appliances to perform everyday chores – cook, do the dishes, do the laundry, etc – and to keep us warm. While gas appliances are very useful, improper installation, maintenance and use can cause serious safety and health threats to you and your family. Gas Safety Tips Here are some gas safety tips for your home: General Safety Tips: Natural gas leak smells like rotten eggs. If you suddenly smell gas, exit your home immediately and call your local fire department from a neighbor’s home or your mobile. Fuel- burning appliances and equipment require adequate ventilation and must be vented outdoors. Make sure not to block the appliances with piles of boxes, other furniture, walls, curtains, etc that can interfere with proper airflow from the appliance. Keep kids away from gas appliances. Never use gas appliances (such as your gas dryer or power washer) to heat the home. Use your home appliances only for their intended functions. Use a qualified contractor and a gas safe registered engineer to do any work on your gas appliances. Schedule your boiler service and maintenance check on your other gas appliances annually. Install a carbon monoxide detector. Make sure the device is installed correctly, tested regularly and maintained properly. Do not store combustibles such as mops or paper near your gas appliances. Do not use and store flammable products near your gas appliances. Educate your family, or anyone living in your home, about emergency procedures. Ensure that everyone knows what emergency number(s) to...
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