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Heating Systems Need Water Treatment… It’s Time to Deal With the Devil Within

Water quality is one of the most critical and most overlooked factors in the performance, efficiency, and lifespan of any heating system whether that’s boilers, heat networks, heat pumps with under floor heating (UHF) circuits, radiators, etc…

Poor water quality quietly damages systems from the inside out – the devil within.

The industry must start to raise awareness of water quality, especially as we shift toward lower temperature heating systems and the new challenges they bring for total system conditioning. As the saying goes, “better the devil we know”, and in this case, it’s time the industry truly understood the silent enemy circulating within our pipework.

To illustrate the real world impact of poor water quality on modern heating systems, we interviewed an experienced heating and plumbing engineer with over 30 years in the industry. Jeff Blackburn, owner of Under Floor Heating Repairs Ltd. in Poole has transitioned his business from traditional installation work to complete system diagnostics and healthcare.

Jeff says “It’s all about the water. Now more than ever, as we move over to low flow, low temperature systems, the industry needs to understand that these systems will encourage the growth of bacteria. Think of your UFH pipe as an incubator, especially when, for part of the year, the system is left dormant under the floor, with the water sitting at ambient temperature. It’s a buffet for bugs. If you neglect adequate water treatment in this environment year after year, then your once clean water will start to look like your muddy garden pond.”

Jeff highlights a reality the industry rarely discusses, low temperature water systems create ideal microbial environments. Without ongoing treatment, biofilms and bacteria thrive leading to flow restrictions, contamination, sludge, and long-term damage.

Treatment From Day One—And Every Day After

Jeff continues “Correct water treatment is therefore critical, not only from the time of commissioning but throughout the life span of the system. This is the only way to maintain an efficient system, reducing downtime and the cost of failed components through blocked filters, pumps, hydraulic valves, and reduced pipework diameter.”

Modern systems rely on high efficiency, low tolerance components. Even a small amount of microbial growth, sludge, or corrosion debris can:

  • Block narrow waterways
  • Impair flow sensors
  • Starve heat pumps
  • Reduce COP
  • Accelerate pump wear
  • Cause repeated system faults

Ignoring water treatment isn’t just poor practice, it’s expensive for the homeowner, or the landlord.

System Healthcare Is Not a Cost—It’s an Investment

“A well maintained system doesn’t just perform better; it lasts longer and costs less over its lifetime. The goal of the industry should be to deliver the message that service and system healthcare should not be viewed as a cost; it is a critical investment. The real cost only comes when you fail to take preventative or corrective action.”

Routine water testing, inhibitor top ups, biocide dosing, and system cleaning shouldn’t be optional extras, they are essential to the life of the system, just like servicing a boiler or replacing filters in a car.

Jeff practices what he preaches when it comes to treating and remediating troublesome water systems by using the newest SOLID water treatment available in the UK marketplace – from DosaFil Residential Technologies.

DosaFil Residential Technologies supply a range of 4 solid water treatment options for use on heating systems and low temperature heating systems. They are supplied in small and compact environmentally friendly capsules/solid sticks which can be easily dissolved into the system during flushing, commissioning or as part of the annual service.

The range consists of:

  • DR1 SOLID Inhibitor sticks (first solid inhibitor in the World to gain NSF International CIAS certification – formerly known as BuildCert).
  • DR2 SOLID Cleaner sticks
  • DR3 SOLID Heavy Duty Cleaner sticks (for older or heavily fouled systems)
  • DR4 SOLID Biocide sticks (for low temperature systems such as UFH)

DosaFil Residential Technologies offer installers like Jeff a solution to all the common issues that he sees on a weekly basis, as well as being an environmentally friendly alternative with multiple benefits when compared to traditional liquid solutions. This is because the solid sticks are compact/lighter, less dangerous to handle and transport, result in zero leakage or spillage and result in zero plastic being sent to landfill. Jeff agrees that using the solid chemicals are effective and, in many cases, significantly better than the traditional liquid approach.

DosaFil Residential Technologies have teamed up with one of the most established manufacturers of Underfloor Heating systems in Europe, Roth Industries. The partnership originating with Roth UK was formed specifically to deliver these new solutions to the traditional boiler and evolving low temperature heat pump market. The combined goal is to ensure that renovation and new build systems deliver design efficiency and are then protected to future proof return on investment.

Magnetic Filters and Corrosion Inhibitors Are Only Half the Story

“Understanding the protection of traditional boiler/radiator systems with magnetic filters and liquid inhibitors to protect against corrosion is only half the story. We, the industry, need to understand the use of biocides and cleaners if we are to offer the right water treatment solutions for the new low temperature, carbon initiative heating systems.”

Jeff’s experience in the industry and his viewpoint is vital:
As we move to low carbon heating, particularly heat pumps and hybrid systems – the old methods are no longer enough.

The future requires:

  • Biocides to control microbial growth
  • Cleaners to remove biofilm and organic contaminants
  • Regular water testing to ensure pH, inhibitor, and biocide levels remain effective
  • Continuous maintenance carried out by experienced professionals as opposed to a “fit and forget” mindset

The industry must evolve its understanding, or risk system reliability, efficiency, and customer confidence.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Face the Devil Within

The shift to low temperature systems is essential for achieving carbon reduction goals. But if we fail to address the water quality challenges that come with them, system failures, inefficiencies, and escalating maintenance costs will undermine progress.

Water treatment is no longer a background consideration; it is frontline engineering.

By understanding and addressing the devil within, we protect our customers, our systems, and the future of low carbon heating.

Roth and DosaFil Technologies will be exhibiting together at The Homebuilding and Renovating Show at Birmingham NEC (March), Excel London (Sept) and Harrogate (Nov). They will also be at Build It Live in Harrogate (May). Visit them there to find out more and chat to the teams.