Is it worth adding a magnetic filter to an older gas boiler?

[james63]

I have an old (~2006) Potterton powermax boiler. It's a gas system boiler with a small unvented cylinder in one small package, in a flat. Because of the location in the flat it's going to be very difficult or maybe impossible to replace so I want to try to get it to last as long as possible. In ~2016 it had a full strip down for an out of warrenty safety recall repair, and has been running great since then.
Is it worth getting a magnetic filter filtered and having cleaner and inhibitor treatment? I thought it would be, but was talked out of it by the first plumber I spoke to.

Radiators fitted were quite high end I think and the system is still working well. I know it won't last forever but if the magnetic filter doesn't do any harm and could give it a couple of years / protect the heat exchanger I thought it would be worth it. Because of the difficulty of replacement I will be looking to keep it going as long as possible even when parts get very expensive (pumps, PCBs etc.). But also I know sometimes stirring things up can make it worse so I wouldn't want that. But again I thought if the magnetic filter is fitted first, before the cleaning cycle, it should catch most of the stuff and not risk the heat exchanger.

 

[Knappers]

In general I would say yes it's worth fitting one and also inhibitor but if the syst is clean, water quality is good and hasn't had any drain downs or topups then it may be pointless.
In some situations I would only recommend doing it alongside other works, as and when it becomes necessary.

 

[james63]

Thanks very much. In this case no other work is necessary at the moment, I'm just concious that the boiler is getting near end of expected life and replacing it will be difficult or impossible (many flats in the development have had to move to wet electric) so thought that might factor in the decision to prolong it as long as possible.

I understand that a new boiler would probably need to be moved to a bedroom because the flue run from the internal cupboard where it's currently sited is too long and the ceiling void is not high enough to support the drop angle now required.

 

[Knappers]

I've seen a few with boxed in flues and they don't look bad.
A few manufacturers do twin flues at around 80mm which would allow a better fall.
There are usually options just most go for the easy one (especially if rented).
I would maintain that it's prob not worth it just for adding a filter.
If you were to have the system flushed and balanced I'd say thats good maintenance and fitting a magnetic filter at that time would be a good idea.