Central Heating

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Central Heating systems that are old and dirty can waste a lot of valuable energy. Shepley Heating in Banbury can clean (Powerflush) your old heating system, replace radiators or pipe work, add new radiators and replace the controls such at the room thermostat, time clock, pump and motorised valves.

What is a Powerflush or Chemical flush?

A Powerflush is the process which aims to remove deposits of sludge, rust and other debris that have built up in your central heating system.

If left in the system, these contaminants can seriously affect the efficiency of your heating system and can cause blockages which could lead to breakdowns.

Unfortunately, a powerflush will not always work if the system has been neglected for a long time. In these circumstances we can quote for either a new boiler and/or to replace radiators or sections of pipework.

Signs You Need a Powerflush

There are many easy to spot signs that suggest that all is not well in your central heating system.

Cold areas on radiators, normally at the bottom
Some radiators struggle to heat up as well as others
Radiators are cold but the pipework is hot
Excessive noise from the boiler, central heating pump or radiators
A sound of running water when the heating is on
Heating is taking longer to warm up
Discoloured (normally dark brown) water when you bleed the radiators
Boiler regularly shuts down and needs restarting
No water escapes when you bleed a radiator
Small leaks in radiators.

How Does a Powerflush Work?

An engineer will connect a large pump to your central heating system. If it’s a Combi it will be connected at the pump head but if it’s a System boiler it will be connected at the circulation pump. This pump will push special chemicals through the pipes, boiler and radiators.

This includes a chemical that will remove sludge and rust, a descaler to remove limescale and corrosion inhibitor to help prevent future rust from forming. The engineer will collect and dispose of any contaminated water, debris or particles that they remove from the system.

The engineer may also use special tools on the exterior of the radiator to dislodge stubborn blockages. They should be able to measure the temperature of your radiators before they have started work and then show you the improvement after the Powerflush.

The whole process can last anything from 6 – 10 hours depending on the number of radiators in your home, the age of the system and the severity of the sludge in the system. The engineer may find more problems than originally anticipated such as needing new parts to replace those that have been damaged beyond repair. Most Powerflush jobs can be completed in one day but some of the more severe cases may require longer.

A qualified engineer will be able to perform repairs, replacements and carry out a Powerflush.

How Much Will a Powerflush Cost?

We will provide you with a quote depending on how many radiators and the age of the system/property. Typically, the cost would start at around £400 + VAT.