Why Heating Engineers Recommend a Power Flush: The Benefits Explained

R

Central heating systems require regular maintenance in order to keep working efficiently. This extends from annual boiler servicing, all the way through to additional tasks such as power flushing. 

If you’ve not heard of it, a power flush is a cleaning process designed to remove the dirt, corrosion, debris and sludge, which can build up in your central heating system. If you’ve ever removed and drained a radiator, seeing the thick, black liquid that comes out, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about here. 

During power flushing, a heating engineer uses powerful cleansing chemicals to ‘flush out’ the system so that water can circulate more freely. 

It can be done whenever needed, and could be particularly useful if you’ve just moved into a house with an older heating system. But ideally, a power flush should be carried out every few years or so. 

Read on to find out more about why heating engineers recommend power flushing, and the benefits for your home. Plus, signs that your system may be in desperate need of this kind of maintenance. 

Better and More Consistent Heat Distribution

Are some rooms in your room warmer or colder than others? And have you noticed cold spots on your radiators? These could both be signs that your system is clogged up with debris, with the water unable to circulate properly. 

A power flush is the ideal way to deal with a sludge problem. It doesn’t take long to complete, and should mean that your home is consistently heated and more comfortable to live in.

Lower Energy Bills 

The more efficient your boiler and central heating system, the cheaper it’ll be to run. This is because it has to work harder and for longer to produce the same amount of heat, which means more kilowatt hours (kWh) and higher bills for you. 

Sludge and debris clogging the radiators can significantly reduce efficiency, as it slows down the circulation of hot water throughout the system. 

This is why a power flush every few years can be beneficial. It effectively resets your central heating system, clearing out any buildup of debris and hopefully shaving a few pounds off your energy bills each month. 

Think of it as preventative maintenance, just like booking in an annual service for your boiler to keep it running as efficiently as possible. 

A Quieter Heating System

Have noisy, gurgling pipes or roaring radiators? There are a few potential causes of this, but one culprit could be a buildup of sludge at key points where hot water circulates. 

A power flush could make the system quieter, which means a more comfortable home environment – one where the heating coming on in the morning doesn’t wake up the whole family. 

Do I Need a Heating Engineer For Power Flushing? 

Yes, it’s strongly recommended to use an experienced heating engineer or plumber to carry out a power flush on your home heating system. Some other companies may offer it, but be wary when choosing someone to carry out the job. 

Power flushing involves specialist equipment and powerful chemicals, so it requires specialist expertise. Get it wrong, and your radiators, pipework and even your boiler could be damaged. This is why not just any tradesperson can carry out the job.

As the job doesn’t involve working with gas or the boiler itself, you don’t have to appoint a Gas Safe registered engineer to do the power flush. But you might want to anyway, especially if you’re combining the work with a boiler service or other system maintenance or repairs. It’s always good to have a fully qualified expert on your side.