Social housing demands reliable heating system performance
In social housing developments, communal heating systems must deliver reliable warmth and hot water for hundreds of residents.
With large networks of ageing pipework and radiators, maintaining good system water quality is critical. It ensures consistent heating system performance, reduces breakdowns and protects vital plant room assets.
When contractor David Whiting Solutions was working on a heating system with a long history of maintenance challenges across five housing blocks, the team knew just who to turn to. Building on a long and trusted relationship with the ADEY Commercial team, they found a targeted solution that would both prevent further issues and resolve existing problems.
The Challenge
The site was a large social housing complex in Northampton, comprising of 254 flats across five residential blocks. Over time, the communal heating system had become heavily contaminated with sludge and corrosion debris, creating major operational challenges.
Contractor David Whiting Solutions was regularly responding to radiator failures caused by pinholing corrosion, with leaks occurring in multiple properties each week. In some cases, these failures led to flooding and property damage as well as a great deal of distress and upheaval for the residents.
Engineers also reported poor system circulation, with radiators taking up to 30 minutes to reach temperature – a major concern for properties housing more vulnerable residents such as children and the elderly. The underlying cause was poor system water quality. Sludge was restricting flow, blocking strainers and accelerating corrosion across ageing components.
Initial water testing using ADEY’s System Diagnostic Test Kits, confirmed the severity of the issue. Samples recorded a pH level of 8.9 – outside the recommended 6.5–8.5 range – alongside total suspended solids of 157 parts per million (ppm) This was significantly higher than the 30 ppm guideline for a well-maintained system.
With radiator failures increasing and heating system performance deteriorating, improving water quality was essential to stabilise the heating network and reduce ongoing disruption for residents.
The Solution
To address the issue, ADEY Commercial recommended the installation of a CMX MIDI Pro-Assist, a high-performance filtration unit designed to capture both magnetic and non-magnetic debris within larger commercial heating systems.
The filter combines powerful magnetic capture with cartridge filtration, enabling it to remove both magnetite and non-magnetic particles circulating through the system. This dual-capture capability was particularly important for the development, where testing had identified both types of debris.
Alongside the filtration solution, the system was treated using ADEY CORE chemical products, including an inhibitor and a leave-in cleaner. These products are designed to stabilise system chemistry and help break down existing contamination.
Installation was easy and straightforward for the contractor team, with the floor-standing filter design allowing engineers to dose chemicals directly through the unit, saving time during commissioning and maintenance.
Water quality testing was conducted using ADEY’s System Diagnostic Test Kits both before installation and throughout the project. This enabled the team to monitor improvements and confirm that treatment measures were working as intended.
The system has continued to be serviced approximately every six months to maintain heating system performance and monitor debris removal as the system progressively cleans itself.
The Outcome
Following the installation of the ADEY solution, the heating system has seen significant improvements in both water quality and overall performance.
Water testing confirmed a steady improvement in water quality levels. Within two months of treatment, pH levels reduced from 8.9 to 8.4 – returning the system to within the recommended operating range. Total suspended solids also substantially dropped, from 157 ppm to 51 ppm, indicating a huge reduction in circulating debris.
Continued monitoring has also shown further improvements. By November 2025, total suspended solids had fallen to just 3 ppm – well below the recommended threshold for a well-maintained heating system. Maintaining low levels of suspended solids is critical to ensuring clean system water, helping to prevent blockages, reduce corrosion and support efficient heat transfer.
The improvements in water quality have translated directly into better heating system performance. Radiators that previously took up to 30 minutes to heat now typically reach temperature within five minutes, demonstrating significantly improved circulation.
Radiator failures have also fallen dramatically. Pinholing incidents – previously occurring several times a week – now average just one per month, significantly reducing maintenance demands and contractor call-back costs. The positive impact on residents extends beyond convenience: with the risk of severe leaks greatly diminished, many now simply enjoy the peace of mind that was previously out of reach.
By improving water quality and removing harmful debris from the system, the installation has helped restore heating system performance while protecting the long-term health of the network.
Why ADEY?
David Whiting, David Whiting Solutions Contractor –
“We have previously installed ADEY products in various social housing buildings, as well as healthcare and education facilities, so we were familiar with the filters. We have experience with the products and know that they do the job well.
The team are always on hand to answer questions and support us. They went above and beyond to help and their advice during installation helped us resolve issues quickly, ultimately helping us deliver the best outcome for the tenants.”