9.0 MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
To ensure the continued optimum performance of the Ecocent, it should be regularly maintained. This is of
particular importance in hard water areas or where the water supply contains particulate matter. Maintenance
should be carried out by a suitably qualified plumber/engineer and any replacement parts used must only be
supplier recommended spare parts. It is recommended that maintenance is carried out every 12 months on the
cylinder and includes the checks detailed in this manual. If you are in a hard water area, you should check the
magnesium anode deterioration within 6 months of commissioning of the unit and annually 12 months after.
You will be able to see the rate at which deterioration is happening and set a date for a full inspection when it is
clear that a new magnesium anode is likely to be needed. Keeping a functioning magnesium anode is critical to
the longevity of the unit. If you run the unit without the anode you will invalidate the warranty/guarantee and
the stainless steel cylinder may be seriously damaged.
In hard water areas consideration should be given to periodically descaling the immersion heater elements. To
do this the unit will need to be drained; Paragraphs 9.3 to 9.5 below detail how to drain the unit and remove the
immersion heater(s).
Please check the condition of the sacrificial magnesium anode on any servicing/maintenance and fit a new
anode, if required.
9.1 Checking the Operation of Safety Valves:
Slowly open the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve by twisting its cap for a few seconds. Check water is
discharged and that it flows freely through the tundish and discharge pipework. Check valve reseats correctly
when re-leased.
NOTE : The water discharged may be very hot. Repeat the procedure for the Expansion Relief Valve
(located on the Cold Water Combination Valve or Expansion Valve Core Unit).
9.2 Cleaning the Strainer:
The in-line strainer must be cleaned periodically by a suitably qualified engineer. The in-line strainer can be
found inside the cold water combination group valve on unvented systems or alternatively a Y strainer on open
vented systems. The engineer should:
i) Wash any particulate matter from the inline strainer under clean running water.
ii) Refit the inline strainer once totally clean or install a new one where necessary.
9.3 Draining the Unit:
Switch off the electrical supply to the unit. Turn off the mains water supply to the unit. Attach a hosepipe to the
drain cock having sufficient length to take water to a suitable discharge point below the level of the unit; at least
one metre below the unit is recommended. Open the hot water tap nearest to the unit to relieve the system
pressure. Open the drain cock. If water fails to drain from the unit, vent it by manually opening the
Temperature/ Pressure Relief Valve or “crack a joint” in the unit plumbing to prevent the creation of a vacuum
that may prevent effective draining.
9.4 Descaling the Immersion Heater:
Drain the unit. Open the cover to the immersion heater housing and disconnect wiring from immersion heater.
Remove the thermostat by carefully pulling out-wards from the immersion heater. Unscrew the immersion
heater backnut and remove the immersion heater from the unit. Over time, the immersion heater gasket may
become stuck to the mating surface. To break the seal insert a round bladed screwdriver into one of the pockets
on the immersion heater and gently lever up and down. Carefully remove any scale from the surface of the
element. DO NOT use a sharp implement as damage to the element surface could be caused. Ensure
sealing surfaces are clean and seals are undamaged; if in doubt fit a new gasket.
Replace immersion heater ensuring the lower (right angled) element hangs vertically downwards towards the
base of the unit. It may be helpful to support the immersion heater using a round bladed screwdriver inserted
into one of the thermostat pockets whilst the backnut is tightened. Replace the thermostat by carefully
plugging the two male spade terminations on the underside of the thermostat head into the corresponding
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