- Maintain the design specification and energy efficiency
- Restore energy efficiency
- Inhibit the formation of scale and sludge
- Minimize corrosion of system metals
Good practice dictates that hydronic central heating systems should be thoroughly cleaned and flushed before installing a new boiler, after which a chemical inhibitor should be added to ensure the system is protected from corrosion, scale and sludge build-up. These procedures should also be employed when major work is carried out on a system. A clean, protected system helps ensure that the heat generated by the boiler is transmitted efficiently into the house over the long term.
Test Procedure
1. Prior to cleaning and flushing, use the enclosed pH test strips and color coded chart to measure the initial pH of the system water as a reference guide.
2. Check boiler manufacturer’s instructions regarding system cleaning prior to commencing work.
3. Best practice is to clean and flush the heating system with the old boiler still installed prior to installation of a new boiler.
4. Drain the system water.
5. Fill the system with fresh water.
6. Add Fernox Cleaner F3 (replaces Fernox Cleaner F5) into the system.
7. Run up to temperature for a minimum of one hour. Ensure that all the system is fully open to allow complete cleaning. Check that all zones including all radiators (if present), are heating up and there are no cold spots.
8. Drain and flush the system thoroughly in both directions to remove the cleaning agent and any debris until the water runs clean. Use of a powerflusher is preferred. 9. Fill the system with fresh water.
10. Add Fernox Protector F1 to provide long term protection against corrosion and limescale, and maintain efficiency. Circulate around the system for equal distribution.
11. Test the inhibitor levels present using the Fernox 60 Second Protector Check Strip and color code chart. Dip the strip for 5 seconds into a sample of system water. Remove excess water and wait for one minute, then compare the color of the strip to the chart provided.
12. Check the system pH level using a provided pH test strip and color coded chart. The pH value of the system water must be between 7 and 8.5.
13. If the Fernox 60 Second Protector Check Strip and/or the pH test strip do not show positive results, add additional Fernox Protector F1. Repeat both tests with fresh test strips until achieving the desired results.
