As the old song advises "you've got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative". When it comes to Part L and self-certification, despite the negative views promoted by some, there is a lot to be positive about. Positive for the installer, positive for the end user and positive for the environment!
Fundamentally, Part L is all about doing the job better and making sure that heating systems perform efficiently with a long life and low cost of ownership. As such, these initiatives also serve to raise the levels of professionalism in the industry, create more work for those heating engineers who do a good job and make life harder for the cowboys.
In fact, what the new rules are doing is reinforcing something we've all known for a long time. And that is that it's vital to clean a system thoroughly before commissioning and during servicing and to add system inhibitor to provide ongoing protection of the system. Without effective treatment the system will not perform efficiently and will not last as long as it should.
For example, limescale in a system will not only restrict the flow of water around the system, it will also affect heat transfer. Studies have shown that just a 1mm layer of limescale on the surface of a heat exchanger will increase energy costs by 7.5%, while a 12mm layer will raise this figure to 70%.
Similarly, the sludge formed by corrosion can create blockages and will certainly impede the flow of water around the system. Effective cleaning of the system will remove limescale and sludge, keeping the system working properly.
Of course, corrosion leads to a much wider range of problems than just sludge formation, hence the need to add a corrosion inhibitor once the system has been cleaned. This is particularly important now that more vulnerable metals, such as aluminium, are commonly being used in central heating products.
So these are the benefits to the end user and to the environment. The big advantage to the heating installer is that offering this level of peace of mind to customers is an important part of getting repeat business and referrals.
All of which means the benefits should outweigh the disadvantages and there are steps you can take to make the whole process as easy and cost-effective as possible. For example, climbing up into a loft to add chemicals to an expansion tank adds to the time taken for the job and also increases the risk of accidents. So the ability use an adapter to introduce the chemicals via the radiator, the filling loop of a combi boiler or via the drain cock all helps to get the job done quickly.
Similarly, being able to carry out the system cleaning and apply the inhibitor during the same visit makes better use of your time. This can be done by using a cartridge that contains both a fast cleanser and an inhibitor, so you only need one cartridge for the whole job.
Carrying out the work cost-effectively is also very important. Concentrates in cartridges, for instance, are more convenient but there is no need to pay a premium for them. They cost the same to manufacture as liquids and their pricing should be very similar.
When working on an existing system it can be important to understand the condition of the system by testing the water, so the most appropriate course of action can be taken. On site tests can tell you a lot but there are times when it's useful to send off a sample for more detailed analysis in a laboratory. In the past, the inflated prices of such tests have put many installers off but it is now possible to get a comprehensive test carried out, with full reporting, for as little as £20. Again, this improves the level of service and professionalism you are offering the customer.
When looked at in this light, it's easy to see the benefits of Part L. And with the right approach, such as choosing products and services that make life easier and are sensibly priced, these benefits can be enjoyed while still making a decent profit.