What are the benefits of a central heating or boiler power flush?
A boiler system is one of the most crucial home appliances you can have. It keeps you warm and cosy during the winter months and ensures that you have a steady stream of hot water for use. Even though these machines are designed to be durable, they can still experience issues every once in a while, especially when you neglect their maintenance. A great way to keep your central heating system functioning efficiently is through a power flush. Here is all you need to know about central heating power flushing.
BPS Facilities offer all types of heating and boiler system services including repairs, emergency repairs, maintenance, annual servicing, planning, design and installation as well as power flushing. Contact us today on 029 20 484114 and one of our expert team can answer any questions you have about our services and will arrange an appointment for you with one of our gas safe registered engineers.
What is power flushing?
Power flushing is a professional cleansing method that boiler engineers use to get rid of dust, sludge, and debris accumulating inside your central heating system and radiators. Failing to remove these deposits can result in blocks and corrosion which will impact the efficiency that your heating system provides, eventually leading to system breakdown and failure. This is a process that must be carried out periodically to maintain your boiler, pipes and radiators. Overall, power flushing ensures the components throughout your heating system are in top condition, including the pipes, radiators, boiler, etc.
How does power flushing work?
Power flushing should be carried out by a qualified boiler system engineer. They use a specialised machine that flushes a combination of hot water chemicals at very high pressure through heating systems. The solution dislodges any sludge, dust, and debris embedded into the various components as it moves through the system which ensures you have an effective and efficient system, helping to remove any blockages. This water is mixed with a chemical that helps to break down solid deposits.
Generally, the duration of a power flush will depend on the size and condition of your central heating system. It can take anywhere between 8 hours and up to two days in situations where the system is more complicated.
When is the right time for a system power flush?
Power flushing comes in handy when your central heating system is severely contaminated by dust and debris resulting in your system not working efficiently. Several factors can be behind this, including faulty installation and the failure to clean the system before installation, as well as bacterial growth.
Prior to setting up a new boiler in your property regulations usually suggest that you give it a thorough cleanse. It can need a simple system flush or a complete power flush, depending on the extent of the contamination. This process reduces the likelihood of further contamination and prevents further build-up of debris and sludge from the previous boiler system.
What are the signs my system needs a power flush?
There are a few tell-tale signs that should prompt you to consider having your system power-flushed. Some of these are:
- Unusual noise from the boiler or radiator
- Frequent system breakdown
- Discoloured water after radiator bleeding
- Leaking radiator
- Cold patches on the radiator
- The constant need to bleed the radiator
- Lack of heating throughout the property or in certain rooms or areas
- Radiators taking too long to heat up
What are the benefits of power flushing your central heating system?
Power flushing offers a huge amount of benefits that will help to keep your overall system working in good and efficient working order as well as prolong the life of your system. These include:
Removing blockages in your system
If you notice that the radiators in your system are taking longer than usual to heat up or don’t heat up at all, chances are there is a blockage. Arranging a power flush will help clear your boiler and cleanse the system, allowing your radiators to warm up as they should.
Increases the lifespan of your heating system
Power flushing can give an old and sometimes almost obsolete central heating system a new lease of life. It can help restore its functionality to something close to when you first installed it. This also means you will spend less on repairs and you won’t need to install a new boiler system straight away.
Improved energy efficiency
Power flushing goes a long way to boost the energy efficiency of your central heating system. This will result in reduced energy bills and overall efficiency making your property warmer. When all the components in your system are running at peak performance, the total energy consumption is greatly reduced without compromising the heating in your home.
Delivers durable results
When you call a qualified engineer to power flush your system, it will be a reasonable amount of time before you need another power flush. A heating system flush is recommended every four to five years. When you have a new boiler installed, depending on the water quality of your system, it may be necessary to carry out a full power flush at that point.
If you want to keep your system in good and efficient working order then power flushing every 5 to 6 years is a good idea.
However, you should be able to get away with a full power flush of your radiators every 8 to 10 years depending on the quality of the materials used in your system. An interim and full power flush will reduce breakdown and repair costs, cost you less to run and prolong the life of your heating system.
Can I power flush by myself?
Power flushing is a complex process that requires the services and expertise of a skilled heating engineer. You should leave it to a qualified boiler engineer as they have the appropriate expertise to deal with the chemical components necessary in the process. Safety is a priority when handling these and exposure may affect your well-being.
Furthermore, getting a boiler engineer to conduct the power flush will allow him to identify problem areas that you would have otherwise ignored, and suggest a suitable solution. An engineer will issue you with a certificate on completion of the procedure as proof that the work was done professionally. This also
means that you should confirm they are a qualified gas engineer before booking them to carry out the power flush.
Even though there is no law prohibiting non-Gas Safe individuals from conducting a power flush, the process is always left to professionals. Even the slightest mistake can compromise the health of your system and will cost you more in the long run. You can also void your boiler warranty and end up paying out-of-pocket for repairs if a non-qualified person carries out a power flush. Finally, there is always the risk of injuring yourself and exposing your household to hazardous chemical components.
How often should I power flush my boiler system?
There is no set time to conduct a power flush. However, a heating contractor will do a visual examination of your system during the annual service and will often advise conducting a power flush if they see a need. This could include extensive corrosion, sludge build-up, debris deposits, etc. Alternatively, a power flush may be necessary when you notice signs like radiator cold spots, leaks, and more.
About Gas Safe Registered Engineers
The Gas Safe Register is the official list of companies that are lawfully given permission to undertake work on gas supply and appliances. Each and every registered company that employs gas engineers or a single working gas engineer is issued with Gas Safe ID cards. Not all engineers are certified to carry out all forms of gas work so you should always check their ID card before they carry out any work for you.
What does the Gas Safety Register do?
- Reports of illegal gas work are investigated by the Gas Safe Register
- They provide the relevant information to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which can prosecute if required
- They run public awareness campaigns to make consumers aware of the risks of hazardous and unlawful gas work, as well as other dangers, such as carbon monoxide poisoning
- The Gas Safety Week campaign is coordinated by them every year
How much does a power flush cost?
Generally, boiler engineers will charge around £300 for a standard power flush. However, the exact price will vary depending on the size of the central heating system and the severity of the job.
Power Flushing Summary
If you notice that your central heating system is performing below the needed efficiency, it may be time to conduct a power flush. This will not only restore it to its peak performance but also extend its life while saving you costly running and repair bills.
If your heating system or boiler isn’t working as it should contact BPS Facilities who will arrange for one of their gas safe registered boiler engineers to come out and assess your boiler system to recommend the best solution for you.
Contact us today at 029 20 484114 or email us using enquiries@bpsfacilities.com and we can answer any questions you may have and book an appointment for you.
BPS Facilities offer the following services:
- Emergency Repair Service 24/7
- Repair Service
- Essential Maintenance
- Scheduled & Preventative Maintenance
- Annual Gas Safety Checks & Certificates
- Heating & Boiler System Power Flushes
- Annual Servicing
- Planning, Design & Installation
- Specialist Project Division To Manage Installations & Projects