Tips for owners of district-heated properties
Keep your property’s district heating equipment in good working order and ensure its reliable operation. These practical tips will help you monitor the equipment, maintain it properly and identify potential faults in time.
How to keep your district heating equipment in good working order
The typical economic service life of a district heating substation is 20–25 years.
During the summer, keep the heating circulation pump at setting 1 to avoid unnecessary energy consumption. If the water flow doubles, electricity consumption increases eightfold and the pressure loss increases fourfold. However, changing the pump from setting 1 to 2 does not double the water flow.
Most importantly, make sure the expansion vessel pressure is at least 50–100 kPa and no more than 250 kPa.
The greater the temperature difference between the district heating supply and return water, the more efficiently the system operates.
During the first year, it is advisable to occasionally close the shut-off valves and check for leaks. If a valve is leaking, a slight tightening is often enough. This helps extend the service life of the valve.
The domestic hot water temperature should remain stable within two to three degrees and stay below +60 °C. For example, if you notice unusually high temperatures early in the morning before anyone has used hot water, the control equipment should be serviced.
Check the pressure in the heating system regularly, but do not add water unnecessarily. It is normal for the pressure to vary as the system temperature changes.
Do not bleed the heating system or radiators unnecessarily. Bleeding the system requires adding more water, which introduces oxygen into the system and may cause corrosion.
Regularly inspect the pipework for leaks and make sure the control valves are not seeping and remain clean. Timely maintenance helps ensure reliable operation with low maintenance costs over a long service life.
Do not use dirt-removing inhibitors on either the primary or secondary side of the system. They can loosen deposits that clog narrow passages, often resulting in the need to replace the heat exchangers.
If your hot water is clearly greenish, there is likely a leak in the domestic hot water heat exchanger. This allows district heating water to mix with the domestic hot water. Contact a plumbing contractor to have the heat exchanger repaired or replaced. The dye is harmless and does not stain, but you should avoid drinking the water.
If you suspect a fault in the district heating supply, first check whether the heating or the hot water is working normally. If only one of them is working, the fault is most likely in your property's own heating system. If neither the heating nor the hot water is working, call the district heating fault reporting number 0800 02001. We will investigate the issue and provide further guidance if needed.
If the fault appears to be in your property's own equipment, check that the necessary pumps are running, the valves are open, the controls are correctly set, and the pressure in the heating system is sufficient.