Magnetic Filters, What do they do?

Magnetic filters for Boilers, What, and how do they do?

Magnetic filters are relatively new to the boiler market. In the heating industry there has been an increase in boiler warranties. This has been fueled by manufacturers trying to create more confidence in their brand and setting themselves apart from others. This has been borne out because of much better components and manufacturing techniques and R&D and developments leading to really reliable and efficient products. This has also had an effect on the way they are installed, by whom and with what types of products. Making sure that the boiler is installed correctly is the main point but also following good practice and not installing a boiler on a dirty system and also making sure adequate protection and good service history is another. With all of these new factors involved there has been an increase in the amount of sundry or add on items that are available in the market to support a boiler installation. One of these is a magnetic boiler filter and pretty much invented and made mainstream by Adey is the Magnaclean magnetic filter.   This was probably the pioneer in this sort of technology and allows a physical unit to reduce the amount of damaging metal in the system. The metal or magnetite is a by-product of corrosion and with the different systems now available in the UK the need for a system filter has dramatically increased. So what does a magnetic filter do and how does it work? It is a fairly simple product and this is definitely one of its benefits. It does not have any moving parts and uses a powerful magnet to attract the metal debris in the heating circuit. A heating system which is made up of steel radiators always corrodes as it is water and metal and the result is small particles of metal that build up and are called sludge. This sludge accumulates in the radiators and limits heat output and circulation. Furthermore it also gets trapped in the boiler or central heating pump and causes failure. Just like a car, if you do not put oil in it then the engine seizes and in respect of a heating system you always need to use an inhibitor to protect the system against corrosion. The best sellers are definitely the Adey Magnaclean magnetic filters and it comes in a number of different forms but all have the same function of removing the metal debris by attracting it to the powerful magnet while storing it in a plastic container. Once a annual service or inspection takes place by a heating engineer the container can be isolated and the magnet removed and the metal debris and ferrous particles are easily taken out and disposed over. As you might suspect magnetic filters do not work on sludge build up from non-magnetic debris and to combat this it is a good idea to carry out a flush with inhibitor is a good idea. Gravity filters can also work with non-ferrous particles too. One product that is quite popular for tackling both magnetic and non magnetic material is the Fernox TF1 filter system. A power flush of the system can not only help protect your combi boiler but can also help the performance and longevity of your column radiators, towel radiators and pipework and keep them clear of sludge. The heating system in your home is actually really important! It is often take for granted as it is not until it goes wrong do we consider thinking about it. So protecting that investment which you rely on every day is not really a discussion as a boiler is relatively cheap and lasts ten years. Magnetic filtration can help prolong the life of your central heating system long term for new boilers and older boilers alike. Magnetic system filters for your boiler are less than one hundred pounds and offer a first defence against debris in the system and even tick a box for your warranty with your boiler manufacturer.