For housing associations, maintaining efficient and reliable heating systems across large and diverse property portfolios remains a significant challenge. Ensuring tenant comfort, meeting sustainability goals, and keeping maintenance costs under control all depend on one critical factor — system protection.
Across thousands of homes, even minor inefficiencies can lead to increased energy consumption, higher maintenance workloads, and dissatisfied residents. In almost every heating system, contamination occurs over time, such as rust, dirt and magnetite particles caused by corrosion and if left untreated, these particles circulate through pipework and components, reducing efficiency, increasing wear, and potentially causing costly breakdowns.
Image © Shutterstock
“Even small inefficiencies across a large housing portfolio can quickly translate into significant operational and financial impacts.”
Reducing energy waste and preventing system failure is particularly important as housing associations work to meet ambitious decarbonisation and sustainability targets. Small gains in system efficiency, applied at scale, can result in substantial cost and energy savings across the entire housing stock.
The Role of Dirt Separation in System Protection
Spirotech, the global leader in total heating and cooling system protection, works closely with housing providers across the UK to address these challenges. One standout solution is the SpiroTrap MB3 magnetic dirt separator, designed to provide robust, long-lasting protection for domestic heating systems.
The SpiroTrap MB3 features a powerful external magnet with advanced field booster technology, enabling it to capture and remove both magnetic and non-magnetic debris with exceptional efficiency — including very small particles from 5 μm (0.005 mm). Its detachable design allows maintenance engineers to remove the magnet and clean the unit without interrupting the heating system, eliminating unnecessary downtime.
Other key technical benefits include:
• A magnet for extra protection and highly efficient removal of magnetite.
• Dirt can be drained while the system is in operation — no shut-off valves or bypass required.
• Fully compatible with 50/50 Ethylene Glycol / Water mixtures, ensuring flexibility across different heating systems.
• Constant low pressure drop, maintaining optimal system performance.
• Maintenance takes only a few seconds and is clean and simple, minimising disruption to residents and freeing up engineering resources.
By continuously removing circulating contaminants, the MB3 protects boilers, pipework, and radiators from damage, ensuring systems operate efficiently and reliably.
“Magnetic dirt separation is particularly effective at capturing fine iron oxide particles, often the most damaging to components over time.”
Image © Shutterstock
Wolverhampton Homes
Spirotech’s collaboration with Wolverhampton Homes, one of the country’s leading Arms-Length Management Organisations (ALMOs), highlights the practical benefits of this technology. Managing over 19,000 homes with a variety of property types — from high-rise flats to family homes — Wolverhampton Homes integrated the SpiroTrap MB3 into its maintenance programme to enhance system protection and improve energy efficiency.
The project involved rolling out the MB3 across a large and varied portfolio of properties. By implementing this technology, Wolverhampton Homes has been able to standardise maintenance processes, reduce unplanned boiler failures, and maintain consistent heat delivery for tenants.
“Proactive system protection can deliver measurable benefits at scale while supporting broader operational and sustainability objectives.”
This example demonstrates how housing associations can achieve operational efficiencies, extend the life of heating infrastructure, and support sustainability objectives simultaneously.
Designed for Easy Installation and Maintenance
The SpiroTrap MB3 has been carefully developed to provide an easy-to-install, leak-free solution. It can be fitted to the system horizontally, vertically, or diagonally thanks to the twist-release ring. The drain valve for removing collected dirt is also easily accessible, ensuring the maintenance process is as straightforward as possible for engineers and housing association maintenance teams.
With the MB3, maintenance is quick, clean, and requires no unnecessary downtime. This design reduces disruption, maximises operational efficiency, and ensures large-scale maintenance programmes can be executed effectively.
SpiroVent RV2 (left), Spirotrap MB3 (right) Images © Spirotech
Air Removal: Essential for Efficient Systems
Spirotech’s commitment to system protection goes beyond dirt separation. Air in a heating or cooling system can cause serious problems, including reduced flow, lower performance, increased energy use, noise, malfunctions, corrosion, and the accumulation of dirt or magnetite. Over time, these issues lead to wear, blockages, and expensive repairs.
By removing air from the system, it operates quietly, efficiently, and reliably, extending its lifespan and protecting both tenant comfort and the housing provider’s budget.
System water always contains air in three forms, each with its own challenges:
• Free air: Bubbles or pockets that accumulate in specific parts of the system, hindering heat or cooling transport.
• Microbubbles: Small, almost invisible air bubbles that gradually reduce system efficiency.
• Dissolved gases: Non-visible gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, which can be released by temperature fluctuations or pressure changes, worsening air-related issues.
Common signs of air in the system include bubbling or ticking sounds in pipes or radiators, radiators heating unevenly, and boilers firing more often than necessary. Removing all forms of air is essential to keep the system running efficiently, quietly, and sustainably.
“A system without air breathes peace, works more economically, and lasts longer.”
Spirotech’s air removal solutions, including deaerators and high-performance air vents, complement the SpiroTrap MB3 by ensuring both dirt and air are effectively managed — a complete approach to system protection.
A Holistic Approach to System Protection
For housing providers, proactive heating system protection isn’t just a technical decision — it’s an investment in long-term performance and tenant satisfaction. Cleaner, more efficient systems mean fewer breakdowns, lower running costs, and more consistent comfort for residents. Preventative measures such as the SpiroTrap MB3 allow housing associations to reduce reactive maintenance, free up engineering resources, and optimise operational budgets.
By combining dirt separation, air removal, and water conditioning, Spirotech enables housing associations to maintain fully balanced systems, supporting long-term efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
Supporting Sustainability and Cost Control
As housing associations navigate the dual challenges of cost control and decarbonisation, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of heating systems has never been more important. Proactive system protection extends the lifecycle of boilers, radiators, and pipework, reducing replacement costs and maximising the value of existing infrastructure. In an era of rising energy costs and heightened environmental awareness, these technologies help providers meet operational, financial, and environmental objectives simultaneously.
Long-Term Partnerships and Proven Results
Spirotech’s ongoing work with housing providers — including large-scale projects such as those with Wolverhampton Homes — demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering durable, high-performance solutions that stand the test of time. By taking a holistic approach, combining dirt separation, air management, and water conditioning, Spirotech helps housing associations manage operational risks, reduce costs, and deliver consistently comfortable homes for tenants.
“Investing in proven system protection technologies ensures reliable heating, energy efficiency, and measurable long-term benefits for housing associations.”
To learn more about how Spirotech’s range of products can protect your housing stock and support your maintenance strategy, visit www.spirotech.co.uk
- Log in to post comments