If you’ve started to notice that your radiators aren’t heating up evenly, you just have a hot strip at the top of your radiators or you’re feeling cold spots on your radiators, this could be a sign that your central heating system needs a power flush.
But how often should you plan this kind of boiler service in Surrey or wherever you live, and what even is a power flush anyway? Let’s start with the basics…
What is a power flush?
A power flush is a procedure carried out by a heating engineer to remove the build up of dirt and sludge in your central heating system. They use a special unit to send water that contains cleaning chemicals through the system at a high velocity, in doing so clearing out the sludge and rust.
For most properties, it’s possible to carry out a power flush of a central heating system in a day, but for larger properties this can take a couple of days. It all depends on how many radiators you have in your home.
How often should you power flush your central heating system?
The general advice is to make sure your heating system has a power flush every five to six years, regardless of whether you notice any issues with your radiators.
This will help to keep your central heating system and your boiler in top condition, allowing both to last for longer and continue performing well. Of course, if you notice that your radiators aren’t heating evenly or as quickly as they used to, you may want an emergency power flush.
In the latter case, it’s essential that you contact a heating engineer as they will be able to assess the situation and work out if a power flush is likely to solve the issues or if there is a problem elsewhere in your central heating system.
What are the benefits of power flushing your central heating system?
One of the biggest arguments for power flushing your central heating system at regular intervals is that this ensures it continues to operate efficiently, which will often lower your energy bills as a result.
Given that the average gas bill for households in England is currently £809 per year, saving money here is likely to be very welcome.
But power flushing can also help prolong the life of your boiler and prevent it from needing repairs in the future. This means that the cost of a power flush, which ranges from about £350 to £800 depending on the size of the property, can be well worth it.
In some cases, a power flush may also reveal issues you were unaware of. For example, when the build up of grime is cleared, you may notice small leaks that had previously not been apparent.
While this might seem like a downside, it’s actually a benefit as it allows you to repair the parts of your central heating system that are degraded before small leaks turn into much bigger ones, potentially causing damage to other parts of your home too.
