About to replace our 12-year-old E-rated boiler, including power flushing the system, which will feed 11 radiators. Is it worthwhile installing a magnetic filter, and if so which ones are best? I see from another thread that the MagnaClean is not recommended.
British Gas have quoted 239.90 for supplying and installing their own filter as part of the overall job.
On Thu, 4 Oct 2012, "Ramsman" writ:
IME, the fact that BG are involved means that any quote will be at least double what it should be.
I had one fitted when I had a new boiler, for an extra £100 inc:
Rob
Keep in mind that they are there to treat a symptom of corrosion rather than stop it in the first place - so you still need to keep the system protected with inhibitor.
If the history of the system is unknown, then they are probably worth having with modern boilers, since their heat exchangers are more easily abraded or clogged by particulates in the water.
The ones that also capture non magnetic particulates are a better bet than the magnetic only ones.
As someone else suggested the TF1 is a nice unit - a much better design than the magnaclean IMHO.
+1 there: I like being able to clean them by removing the magnet and flushing out through the bottom drain port, rather than dismantling the whole unit.
Have fitted a Fernox TF1 (28mm) in my own system, and not only does it work well
- it's a well-thought-out kit. Comes with all the seals you need, and a nice quality pair of isolation taps to go either side of it.
It's also jolly useful as a point to insert fresh doses of inhibitor.
An excellent unit. Also Magna boost which is similar in flushing and made of superior brass. These bottom flushing filters can be connected to the drain and simple opening of the value will flush it all away.
Sentinel have brought out a new treatment. X900 filter aid. Only to be used with filters.
From their site:
. Frees and lifts hidden debris . Helps filters to better capture circulating solids . Suitable for use with all filter types . Stays in the system to prevent sludge build up . Suitable for all metals, including aluminium . Easy to dose . Can be used in all types of indirect heating systems
It is increasingly common practice to fit an in-line filter on a central heating system to remove circulating debris and prevent the accumulation of sludge and deposits.
If allowed to circulate in the system water, this debris can cause wear and premature failure of pumps and valves, or can settle, causing blockages and upsetting the balance of the system, resulting in loss of boiler efficiency and system effectiveness.
This debris often settles out of circulation in the less turbulent parts of the circuit where it cannot be captured by the filter.
This settled material upsets the hydrodynamic balance, reduces boiler efficiency and provokes under-deposit corrosion. Sentinel X900 Filter Aid has been formulated to be able to penetrate, free and lift such debris into circulation where it can then be successfully captured by the in-line filter."
Yes I was quite impressed with the colour coded set of O rings and spacers that you swap in to allow it to screw home at any required orientation. As you say, the supplied valves are nicely made as well.
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