Do I Need a Magnetic Filter for My Boiler?
Ensuring your central heating is operating at maximum capacity is paramount in any property. Not only does it ensure comfort, warm water, and consistent temperatures throughout the building, but it also influences energy bills and maintenance costs.
Boiler filters are one of the best and most affordable ways of protecting boilers, ensuring water safety, and reducing maintenance needs and costs. The choice of filters is very impactful regarding both the efficiency and durability of the boilers.
In this article, we'll discuss one of the most popular types of boiler filters: Magnetic filters. From how they work to their benefits and whether they are right for your situation, you'll find everything you need to know about magnetic filters here!
What Is a Magnetic Filter?
Magnetic filtration is the process of removing ferrous materials from a liquid through a magnet. It is a popular filtration process that's commonly used in boilers and central heating systems because it removes impurities, rust, and other harmful materials that lead to unhealthy water and the accumulation of a sludge-like substance inside the boiler.
A magnetic filter is installed at the base of the boiler and processes the liquid that enters and comes out of it, filtering out impurities in the process. Unlike disposable filters, magnetic filters' reliance on a magnet to function gives them longevity that other types of filters don't have, often lasting multiple years.
What Are the Advantages of Magnetic Filters?
Magnetic filters are incredibly versatile and offer a multitude of advantages. If you are wondering if they are suitable for your boiler installation, you should see if any of the benefits below appeal to you:
- Cleaner, Healthier Water
Magnetic filters can filter out 99% of impurities in the system, including nickel, cobalt, rust, calcium carbonate, and more. This makes the water healthier to drink, safer to shower with, and easier to use for household and industrial applications. If you value clean water on the premises, having a magnetic filter installed is an excellent option.
- Reduced Energy Bills
The existence and the accumulation of impurities in a central heating system reduce efficiency in the central heating system. This means that the boilers must expend more energy to maintain the same temperature levels over time. This naturally leads to higher energy bills. By installing a magnetic filter, you can prevent impurities and limescale from accumulating in the boiler, maintaining high energy efficiency and reducing energy costs over the long term.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs
Without proper filtration, a sludge-like substance starts building up inside central heating systems over time. This substance not only erodes the interior of the boiler, but it can also damage the pipes and other elements connected to the system. This substantially increases maintenance costs during the boiler's annual service, and it can even damage the boilers and pipes permanently, necessitating replacements and comprehensive repairs.
Installing a magnetic filter, however, reduces impurities by 99% and prevents limescale and sludge from building up inside the system. This ensures the boiler experiences minimal strain and continues functioning at full efficiency throughout the year.
- Reduced Waste
Disposable filters need to be regularly replaced or have their filters changed. This produces substantial amounts of plastic waste. Magnetic filters, on the other hand, can last for up to 20 years while requiring little maintenance - this makes them an environmentally friendly solution to add to an existing system if you want to reduce its carbon footprint.
Should I Install a Magnetic Boiler Filter in My Central Heating System?
Are you wondering whether you should get a magnetic filter or not? There are a few simple questions you can ask yourself that go over the scenarios where a magnetic filter is useful:
- Do you use the water produced by the central heating system for domestic or industrial purposes?
Unfiltered water is not suitable for many domestic and industrial applications ranging from drinking and showering to manufacturing. A magnetic filter can minimise purities in the water, making it safe to drink, gentle on the hair, and usable for a variety of industrial purposes. If these use cases are applicable to your situation, then a magnetic filter is worth it!
- Are you using larger heating systems with substantial pipework?
Do you have a large central heating system for a multistorey property or industrial location? These systems might only necessitate multiple boilers but they function through a complex and delicate network of pipes. To prevent limescale and rust from accumulating and ensure the system continues functioning at a high level, liquid filtration is necessary.
As one of the most effective liquid filtration solutions, magnetic filters are one of the best choices for domestic and industrial clients looking to ensure their system continues working at 100% without worrying about boilers breaking down or pipelines getting clogged.
- Do you want to minimise the need for maintenance in the system?
Did you get a new boiler installed on your property and are looking to ensure its longevity, reduce maintenance, and keep the boiler warranty? A magnetic filter is an excellent solution.
Unfiltered water is like smoking for boilers, though even a small amount is harmful, prolonged exposure results in permanent damage to the internals of the boiler that can only be fixed by replacing parts or buying a new boiler altogether, both being substantially expensive solutions.
This is why a magnetic filter is far more valuable if installed on a new boiler by a heating engineer! It is a precautionary measure that both reduces maintenance needs in the short term and ensures the internals of the boiler and pipe network are protected and safe in the long term!
Magnetic Boiler Filter FAQ
Are Magnetic Boiler Filters Worth It?
Magnetic filters are effective at reducing impurities in a boiler system - this has several important advantages such as cleaner water, higher efficiency, reduced need for maintenance, and much more. To many households and industrial locations, the advantages of magnetic filters are worth it.
Do Magnetic Boiler Filters Work?
Magnetic filters, as their name suggests, use a magnet to attract impurities and clean liquids in central heating systems. Due to the most common types of impurities (like rust and iron) being magnetic, a magnet filter does an amazing job of filtering out impurities in the system.
How Long Do Magnetic Boiler Filters Last?
Unlike disposable filters that only last a couple of weeks to months, magnetic filters are extremely durable and can last as much as 10 to 20 years. This longevity makes magnetic filters an excellent investment that will maintain the purity of the liquid and the health of the central heating system for years to decades to come.