Maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your combi boiler is crucial for ensuring reliable heating and hot water supply in your home. One essential step in this process is regularly adding a chemical inhibitor to the system. This blog post will provide you with a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to properly fill your combi boiler with inhibitor, ensuring optimal performance and protection against common issues like limescale and corrosion.
Preparing the System
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Turn Off the Heating System and Allow Radiators to Cool Down: Before beginning the inhibitor addition process, it’s crucial to ensure the heating system is completely turned off and the radiators have had sufficient time to cool down. This step is essential to prevent any accidental start-up or potential scalding hazards.
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Select a Radiator Without a Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV): If possible, choose a radiator that does not have a TRV, as you may need to shut off the TRVs completely during the inhibitor injection process.
Injecting the Inhibitor via a Radiator
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Shut Off Radiator Valves and Remove Bleed Screw: Close both the flow and return radiator valves, then remove the bleed screw to prepare the radiator for the inhibitor injection.
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Attach the Inhibitor Cartridge: Securely attach the inhibitor cartridge to the radiator, ensuring a tight connection to prevent any leaks.
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Inject the Inhibitor Concentrate: Open the radiator valves and slowly inject the inhibitor concentrate into the radiator. The recommended dosage is typically 1 liter of inhibitor per 100 liters of system water volume, but always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific inhibitor product you are using.
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Close Radiator Valves and Remove Cartridge: Once the inhibitor has been fully injected, shut the radiator valves again and remove the inhibitor cartridge.
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Refit Bleed Screw and Open Radiator Valves: Replace the bleed screw and open the radiator valves to allow the inhibitor to circulate throughout the system.
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Run the Heating System: Run the heating system for approximately 15 minutes to ensure the inhibitor is evenly distributed throughout the combi boiler and associated pipework.
Injecting the Inhibitor via the Filling Loop
Alternatively, you can use the filling loop to add the inhibitor to your combi boiler system:
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Turn Off the Heating System and Allow Radiators to Cool Down: As before, ensure the heating system is turned off and the radiators have cooled down.
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Turn Off Tap 1 and Remove the Filling Loop: Shut off tap 1 and remove the filling loop or blanking plug.
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Connect the Inhibitor Cartridge with an Adapter: Attach the inhibitor cartridge to the filling loop using a suitable adapter.
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Inject the Inhibitor: Turn on tap 1 and slowly inject the inhibitor concentrate into the system.
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Close Tap 1 and Remove the Adapter: Once the inhibitor has been fully injected, shut off tap 1 and remove the adapter.
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Refit the Filling Loop or Blanking Plug: Replace the filling loop or blanking plug to restore the system to its original configuration.
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Run the Heating System: Run the heating system for approximately 15 minutes to ensure the inhibitor is evenly distributed throughout the combi boiler and associated pipework.
Technical Specifications
- Inhibitor Types: Inhibitors are available in various forms, including liquid, concentrate, and gel, to accommodate different injection methods.
- Inhibitor Function: The primary purpose of the inhibitor is to prevent the buildup of limescale and corrosion within the radiators and pipework, reducing the risk of narrowed pipework and radiator sludge.
- Tools Required: To complete the inhibitor addition process, you will need a radiator bleed key, a tub or container, and the appropriate inhibitor cartridge or adapter.
References
- How to Add Inhibitor to a Combi Boiler
- Combi Boiler Inhibitor Injection
- Adding Inhibitor to a Combi Boiler
By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively fill your combi boiler with the necessary inhibitor, ensuring the long-term health and efficiency of your heating system. Remember to always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines when working with chemical products, and consider seeking professional assistance if you are unsure about any part of the process.