Growing recognition of the benefits chemical inhibitors bring to maintaining heating system efficiency

(20/05/2010)

With Government focusing on energy efficiency, the need for effective system cleaning and inhibition will increase. Following the inclusion of water treatment in the Building Regulations Part L consultation, the time is right for domestic water treatment companies to demonstrate they make a valuable contribution in this field.

Domestic water treatment is the generic term for products preventing the corrosion and scaling of ancillary pipe-work and equipment within a heating system. As system corrosion and scaling differs regionally (different water types), the DWTA standard works on the basis that an inhibitor must ‘inhibit’ ie ‘be significantly better than water in all water conditions’.

A main DWTA objective is communicating to the heating industry and consumers, the importance and benefits of chemical water treatment on the energy efficiency and longevity of heating systems. DWTA’s aims focus on establishing chemical water treatments as best practice for heating systems. Domestic water treatment plays a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency and efficacy of central heating systems for consumers.

BEAMA's Domestic Water Treatment Association (DWTA) has welcomed the new Part L Domestic Heating Compliance Guide. The guide states that as a minimum chemical inhibitors should be BuildCert- approved. This applies to new-build systems, and when changing a boiler in retrofit circumstances.

Kelly Butler, BEAMA's marketing director comments: “This is a further important step forwards for the chemical water treatment industry, reflecting the growing recognition of the benefits chemical inhibitors bring to maintaining heating system efficiency.

“The DWTA has campaigned tirelessly for the recognition of quality chemical inhibitor products and the BuildCert Chemical Inhibitor Approval Scheme (CIAS) achieves this aim. To now have BuildCert recognised in the Building Regulations is an important step towards establishing inhibitors as an energy efficient measure, backed by a robust and independent quality approval test.

“The CIAS standard (developed by the DWTA) tests whether chemical manufacturers’ inhibitors deliver tangible system benefits and has attracted much industry support. Developed through industry consultation, the standard ensures that all approved products meet the required level of efficacy.

“Also, we welcome the provision for scale-reducers within hot water systems as these demonstrate clear energy efficiency benefits. But, significantly, Part L does state that softened water should not be applied to primary heating systems. Again, this follows DWTA evidence-based approaches to CLG stating that the application of water, which has passed through a water softener, can promote corrosion with aluminium and mild steel.”

Related categories:  Central heating systems and pumps   Consumables