How to Maintain a Magnetic Filter for Heating

Like every part of a heating system, a magnetic filter requires occasional maintenance. Find out how a magnetic filter works, why cleaning it is important, and how to manage maintenance yourself.  

Magnetic Filter as an Integral Part of Heating Systems

If you have a newer heating system, it very likely includes a magnetic filter. However, it is definitely advisable to install this device even on older types of heating. The magnetic filter takes care of cleaning the heating system, and thus ensures trouble-free and economical heating operation without malfunctions. How?

The magnetic filter removes all metal impurities from the operating fluid, which impair the function of the heating and shorten its lifespan in two ways:

1. They accumulate on the internal walls of the heating, where they create deposits. These deposits reduce the thermal performance of the units, resulting in a lower temperature in the household with higher energy consumption.

2. They accumulate on the moving parts of pumps and boilers, which can lead to their seizure. Seizure often cannot be repaired, and component replacement is necessary.

How Magnetic Filtration Works

As the name suggests, a magnetic filter for heating contains a strong magnet that continuously captures all metal, i.e., magnetic impurities from the operating fluid in the heating system. This filter is installed near the boiler, with water flowing in the system regularly entering the filter tank. Here, unwanted particles are separated and remain attached to the magnet.

Why Regular Cleaning of the Magnetic Filter is Necessary

Since impurities remain trapped on the magnet, it is logical that it needs to be cleaned occasionally. Otherwise, impurities will form a thick layer on the magnet, disrupting its magnetic field and thus its ability to capture more impurities. A clogged magnetic filter is essentially non-functional and cannot prevent problems caused by contaminated operating fluid.

Step-by-Step Cleaning of a Heating Filter with a Magnet

Cleaning a magnetic filter is very simple and you can manage it yourself even without prior experience. The entire process will take you no more than a few minutes. The key is the type of filter. Essentially, magnetic filters for heating are divided into:

• Filters with a magnet inside the filter tank: in this case, water flows onto the magnet, and impurities are directly captured on this magnet.

• Filters with a magnet outside the tank: the magnet is placed either as a ring around the tank or as a rod in a separate chamber in the middle of the tank. In both cases, the magnet is not in direct contact with water or impurities. It magnetizes impurities through the tank wall – unwanted particles thus adhere to the internal walls of the filter chamber.

The magnet can be placed inside or outside the filter tank. 

How Often to Clean the Magnetic Water Filter

How often is it necessary to clean the magnetic filter? Basically, it is sufficient to do it once a year, but there are exceptions:

• After the first installation of the magnetic filter, clean it after just a few days. In such a case, the magnet will suddenly capture all the impurities that have accumulated in the heating system over the years.

• In the case of an older or heavily contaminated heating system, adjust the cleaning interval of the magnetic filter individually as needed.

Cleaning a Magnetic Filter with a Magnet Inside the Tank

In this case, the magnet is placed directly in the sedimentation chamber. First, it is necessary to stop the water supply to the filter and drain the water from the chamber using the drain valve. Then remove the magnet from the tank (the procedure varies depending on the type of magnet attachment, but usually, it is enough to unscrew or loosen a nut). Then simply wipe the captured impurities from the magnet into a paper towel, for example, using a special scraper. Reattach the magnet to its place, close the tank, and open the water supply to the filter. The cleaning is then complete, and the magnetic filter is back in operation. The system does not need to be shut down or drained during cleaning.

Cleaning a Magnetic Filter with a Magnet Outside the Tank

Like the filter with a magnet inside, the filter with a magnet outside the tank allows for the removal of impurities while the system is running. First, stop the water supply to the filter – some types of filters even allow cleaning without stopping the water supply. Then remove the magnetic rod from the filter, or remove the magnetic ring. This releases the captured impurities into the water in the tank. Let them settle to the bottom. Drain this water using the drain tap into a prepared container. The magnet itself does not need to be cleaned, as impurities are not directly captured on it. Return the magnet to its place and open the water supply to the filter.

What to Watch Out for When Cleaning

Cleaning is very simple in both cases, and you basically cannot go wrong. However, be careful with the magnet itself and handling it. Very strong magnets are used in heating filters, which can damage electronic devices. Of course, the magnet also attracts various metal objects, which it can damage or cause injury when attracted.

Do not underestimate the cleaning of the magnetic filter. Thanks to this simple maintenance, your heating will always be perfectly clean and functional. You will always find precise maintenance instructions in the manual for the specific filter model.