Scaled Plate Heat Exchanger
Hot water that has weakened gradually over a year or two, and runs hotter at low flow than at full flow..
Hot water that has weakened gradually over a year or two, and runs hotter at low flow than at full flow.
What is actually going on
Hot water that has weakened gradually over a year or two, and runs hotter at low flow than at full flow.
The realistic causes, in order
Limescale build-up on the domestic side, which is common in the hard-water chalk areas around Guildford, Fleet and Camberley Magnetite from the heating side coating the primary plates and insulating them A partially blocked flow restrictor upstream, reducing throughput before the exchanger even sees it
What we test on site
Actual delivered flow rate in litres per minute at the tap, measured rather than estimated Temperature rise across the exchanger at a known flow rate Heating-side water quality, since magnetite fouling means the whole system needs attention, not just the part
Questions we get asked
What causes a scaled plate heat exchanger on a gas boiler?
Limescale build-up on the domestic side, which is common in the hard-water chalk areas around Guildford, Fleet and Camberley
What normally puts a scaled plate heat exchanger right?
Replacement or approved flushing restores performance; a scale reducer is worth discussing in harder-water postcodes.
Is it safe to keep using the system with a scaled plate heat exchanger?
Descaling chemicals used carelessly can damage seals and are not suitable for every appliance. Follow the manufacturer's approved method.