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• Good quality water
• Adding water treatment agent
• Placing a partial flow filter
• Prevent leaking sealings
• Cleaning the flue gas side

Replenish the heating system with properly filtered, pure rainwater or descaled and softened tap water. This will prevent the formation of blocking or limescale in the form of boiler scale on the hot parts and the flue pipe of the installation. Boiler scale is an insulator, as a result of which a boiler with a lot of boiler scale will no longer provide the capacity it has when it was new. Also it is important to use a water meter when replenishing, so you know exactly how much water is required to replenish. How to optimally operate the machine? In which cases can you carry out maintenance yourself and when should periodic maintenance be done by a technician? Every machine should have an instruction booklet stating all this information. It is imperative to read this before first use!

You can choose to add a water treatment agent to the water in the heating system to improve the quality of the boiler water. This is done by use of a special dosing pump, that evenly distributes the water treatment agents into the system. As such, the corrosion speed could be reduced 50 times.

Another way to ensure a better quality of the boiler water, is by placing a partial flow filter in the heating system. Doing this, any organic pollution, precipitated hardness increasing salts and iron particles will be filtered from the system. The partial flow filter has best be placed in the spot where the flow speed of the water is lowest: the manifold, preferably the in the return at the bottom. Filtered water is eventually returned to the return pipe. After placing do not forget to regularly clean the partial flow filter.

Sealings can be found throughout the entire heating system and could, as such, cause a variety of troubles. Prevent leaking pump sealings and gaskets by checking them annually, when installation is cold. It is important to check the installation when it is cold, for example during the crop rotation or in the summer, because at that time leakages could emerge that would not be detected during the winter. Furthermore, the water of a leakage will soon vaporize when the installation is hot, leaving no leakage traces, although slow corrosion does take place.

Clean the flue gas side of the heating system at least once per year to remove soot and fly ash. This starts when opening the water and flue gas side of the steam boiler. For the cleaning of the flue pipe, use an iron brush and scoop out the flue gas box twice per year, ensuring continuation of the condensation drain flow. If necessary, you can make use of a high-pressure washer. This will prevent corrosion and extend the boiler’s lifespan.

The water side of the boiler is difficult to clean, because this side is hard to reach due to the construction. In order to still achieve a clean water-side of the boiler, free from boiler scale, we recommend paying special attention to the water treatment. In this instance, take a water sample, analyze it and add the required agents by use of a dosing pump to improve the water quality. Clean this side every time you replenish.

Air is a nasty phenomenon and may cause problems. It may stop water from flowing and causes corrosion in the installation. Venting should therefore be done throughout the year. It can be done easily with an automatic air vent. This will vent the system continuously, without the need for additional action.

Do not forget to regularly clean the filter bags and magnets of the partial flow filter, the Y-filter and small filters around floor heating pumps.

Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, you should allow regular inspection of a heating system. For an installation up to 7 years old, annual inspection will suffice. Older installations need some more attention. Therefore, you should have those checked twice per year. This is also important in connection with the insurance. After an inspection you do receive an inspection and maintenance statement that you need to present to the insurance in case of damage. 

Good maintenance and annual inspection of the heating system has multiple advantages:

• It ensures energy-saving 
• It ensures reduction of emission (including CO2 and NOx) and is thus better for the environment
• It contributes to the safety and operational reliability 
• It ensures a longer lifespan

Nowadays boilers are kept on temperature throughout the year, even if they are not being used. A lot of energy could be saved though if the heating system was shut off entirely in case it is not going to be used for a long time. It is of importance here that both the front and the hatch at the back of the boiler are opened to let air blow through and preventing the risk of condensate formation during standstill. Also leave the return pump open, to allow some expansion. Turn the Shunt pump and possible boiler shock pump off manually.

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