If you want to know you have a healthy heating or cooling system, it’s important to test the composition of the water.

It’s commonly known that poor system water quality can lead to underperforming systems – leading to reduced efficiency, increased energy bills, and higher output of harmful emissions.

Why diagnose water in sealed systems?

Firstly, we’re not talking about a simple test to tell you one or two things. Simple water tests have their place, but they won’t go deep enough to let you know what’s really happening in your system.

BSRIA BG/50 2021 guidance states that ‘Sampling and analysis of system water is an essential part of managing the water quality.

Diagnosing water quality on a regular basis can help to identify existing issues and help to prevent future problems – so you understand what’s really happening now, and what could happen in the future without appropriate treatment.

What can be detected?

Carrying out a thorough system water quality diagnosis can record pH levels and conductivity, water composition including the proportion of dissolved and suspended solids and identify the presence of several different substances – including Chloride, Nitrite, Zinc, Aluminium, Copper, Iron and Molybdate.

Why is this important?

An imbalance or excess of the identified parameters can lead to plant room equipment issues and ultimately heating and cooling systems which do not work as they should, or even break down.

A system which is not performing at its optimum level will be using more energy than necessary and producing more harmful emissions than it should. So, it pays to identify existing and potential issues with reliable System Diagnostics Test results and take action to remedy and prevent future issues.

How often should system water be tested?

There is no fixed rule for this, as every system and the demands placed upon it are unique – including the operating characteristics, susceptibility to disturbance, and operational importance of the system varying throughout the life of the system installation.

Some systems will be in an extremely poor state and require repeated testing before and after treatment prior to establishing that the water parameters tested are as they should be.

BSRIA guidance of routine monitoring for systems in normal operation is for every two weeks for the first two months after handover, during and/or after remedial cleaning procedures, and after any uncontrolled water losses.

Sampling is recommended every month by BSRIA when there is evidence of deteriorating water quality, evidence of water losses, and during periods when external contractors are present.

Three monthly monitoring is only appropriate when the system has a good record of water quality with minimal water losses and a responsive and knowledgeable maintenance team on site – further guidance is available in BS 8552.

How do I get a thorough diagnosis of my system health?

You can buy the ADEY System Diagnostics Test Kit™ from your local merchant – more information about the kit can be found here. The kit is easy to use – it contains instructions, two sample bottles to be filled with system water, and a pre-paid envelope.  The samples are posted to an independent, UKAS accredited laboratory, and results of 11 parameters are available on an online portal within 72 hours of sample receipt.

The ADEY Commercial water treatment experts are also available for a no obligation chat and are happy to arrange a visit to your site for a personal consultation to advise on water treatment suitable for your organisation. They can help you get a System Diagnostics Test and talk through the results with you.  You’ll find your Regional Commercial Manager’s contact details here.