USA
Why has the topic of water quality become a focal point across our industry in recent years?
Well, the ultimate reason behind this is the increase in high efficiency systems and the awareness that these systems cannot cope as well as older cast iron systems when water quality is poor. As a result, boiler manufacturers are adding clauses in their warranty manuals and voiding warranties if there’s signs of lack of system maintenance or sludge/scale in the system water.
How do boiler manufacturers know if the system hasn’t been maintained?
If there’s a leak in the heat exchanger or a boiler being replaced due to failure, the boiler manufacturers will now often ask for the serial number and a water quality sample. This started a few years ago so it’s not a completely new thing, and it’s only going to become standard practice. The boiler manufacturers will test that water sample and from that, they’ll be able to identify the quality of the water.
What do they test for and what critical parameters can affect the longevity and efficiency of a system?
At ADEY, we know that chloride, copper, iron, pH, hardness and inhibitor levels are the key tests to determine the condition of any system water so this is what boiler manufacturers are likely to test.
