Magnetic filter in boilers are integral in ensuring that your heating system remains as clean and free of debris as possible. This becomes even more important if you live in an area that receives hard water. Over time limescale buildup in your appliances becomes a common occurrence and this is where installing magnetic filters can help.
Do I Need a Magnetic Filter for My Heating System?
It is important that you know that magnetic filters aren’t a necessity – they’re completely optional!
But, if you don’t have a magnetic filter installed, rust and debris can freely flow around your system. This can potentially cause damage within, affecting your boiler performance while putting it at risk as well. The efficiency of your radiators is also compromised because of dirt accumulation.
You’ll end up paying more on your energy bills due to reduced efficiency as the system has to work extra hard to maintain comfortable temperatures. After installing a magnetic filter, you won’t have to do any cleaning as its taken care of internally. All you have to do is clean the filter occasionally for optimal performance. Over time, you might have to replace the filter but it’s quite reasonable and a few years will have passed before you need to do this.
Benefits of Installing a Magnetic Filter
Installing magnetic filters have their fair share of benefits.
With magnetic filters, you can:
- Make your heating system more efficient
- Reduce your energy bills
- Add to the lifespan of your boiler
If you have installed one in your heating system, make it a point to keep it clean to avoid the development of any blockages. Buildup of dirt in magnetic filters can affect the magnet’s performance.
So how do you clean magnetic filters for them to keep working in a top-notch condition?
Let’s take a look!
Cleaning a Magnetic Filter
Step 1
Turning the electrical supply off is the first thing you must do. Then place a dust sheet on the surface to prevent any buildup of rust falling on the floor. Shut off isolation valves if you have any.
Step 2
Magnetic filters generally have a simple screw lid, which for safety purposes is kept screwed extra tight. These filters usually come along with a device like a spanner, that you can use to unscrew the lid. Using the spanner, loosen the lid and then proceed to open it up with your hands.
Step 3
Once you remove the lid, you’ll see that both the filter and the magnet are fixed to the lid. The filter will be covered with debris and black dirt but it’ll be easy for you to slide out the magnet from the filter casing. Because the magnet doesn’t require any cleaning, its best to set it aside.
Step 4
Now, it’s just the filter that you’ll have left and that’s what needs to be cleaned. It’ll be best if you take the cleaning out in the garden area as its bound to create quite a mess. To get rid of the rust buildup, use a high-pressure hose to blast it off. In case you don’t have a high-pressure hose, a regular one should do. Additionally, ensure that you clean both the magnet and the lid thoroughly as these could have dirt buildup on the surface.
Step 5
Once all components are absolutely free of dirt, slide the magnet back in its original casing. Now using your hands, tighten the lid as much as possible, then with the help of the spanner, secure it even further.
Step 6
Now you can proceed to reopen the valves and the switch on the boiler electrics back again.
How Often Should You Clean the Magnetic Filter?
Cleaning the filter once every year should suffice not to mention it’s easy enough to do it yourself. However, if you’re unsure about doing it on your own, you can ask the heating engineers at Hunsbury Heating to carry out the task. What’s more, you can club this with your annual boiler servicing.
It won’t make a huge difference in terms of cost and time required to clean the magnetic filters as long as they are easily accessible.
With a magnetic filter installed, your boiler will be at the peak of its efficiency for a longer period. This will save you money especially in terms of boiler replacement and additionally you can also improve your carbon footprint.
Get in touch with us today, if you need to get your boiler serviced!
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