The Problems That These Gases Cause

The Invisible Threat Inside Your Heating System

Most businesses assume their heating system is doing its job if the boiler runs and the building gets warm. But beneath the surface, a silent and costly problem often goes unnoticed: the accumulation of gases inside the heating water. These gases – dissolved, entrained, and free gases – are not just technical jargon. They are the root cause of many heating inefficiencies, rising energy bills, cold spots in radiators, and long-term system failure.

Understanding what these gases are, how they enter your system, and why they stay trapped is the first step to reducing costs and protecting your heating infrastructure.

💧 What Are These Gases?

There are three distinct forms of gas that cause problems in heating systems:

1. Dissolved Gases

• Definition: Gases (primarily oxygen and nitrogen) dissolved at the molecular level in the heating system water.

• How They Enter the System:

  • Mains water naturally contains dissolved gases.

  • Every time the system is filled or topped up, these gases are introduced.

  • Water movement and temperature changes affect the amount of gas water can hold.

• What Happens: When the water heats up, these gases are released, turning into microbubbles – just like when a kettle heats water (entrained gas).

2. Entrained Gases

• Definition: Tiny gas bubbles suspended or mixed within the circulating water.

• Sources:

  • Released from dissolved gases when the water is heated.

  • Created by turbulence and flow disruption in the system.

  • Generated by corrosion processes inside radiators and pipework.

• Why They Matter:

  • Entrained gases reduce the system’s ability to transfer heat, acting like insulation inside the radiators and pipework.

  • They circulate throughout the system, spreading corrosion and increasing maintenance issues.

  • Over time, they gather to form free gas pockets.

3. Free Gases (Gas Pockets)

• Definition: Visible pockets of air or gas trapped at high points in the system – typically in radiators, heat exchangers, or pipe elbows.

• How They Accumulate:

  • Entrained gas bubbles naturally rise and collect in high spots.

  • Poor circulation, inadequate venting, or irregular pipework designs trap them.

  • Air can also enter from leaks, pressure drops, or poor maintenance.

• Problems Caused:

  • Cold spots on radiators

  • Gurgling or sloshing noises

  • Uneven heating across the building

  • Reduced system pressure and flow

  • Increased boiler workload and fuel consumption

⚠️ Why Gases in the System Are a Major Problem

Once inside, these gases create a chain reaction of damage and inefficiency:

❌ 1. Corrosion and Magnetite (Sludge) Formation

• Oxygen in water reacts with the metal in pipes and radiators.

• This forms magnetite, a black iron oxide sludge.

• Magnetite collects in low-flow areas, blocking pipes and causing hot/cold imbalance.

• Over time, corrosion weakens metal, leading to leaks and system breakdown.

❌ 2. Reduced Heat Transfer

• Both entrained and free gases insulate internal surfaces.

• Radiators take longer to heat or fail to heat completely.

• More energy is used to achieve the same level of comfort.

❌ 3. Higher Energy Bills

• Inefficient heat transfer means boilers must run longer or at higher output.

• This increases fuel usage and operational costs.

❌ 4. Shortened Equipment Lifespan

• Corrosion degrades boilers, pumps, valves, and radiators.

• Leads to more frequent repairs and earlier replacements.

❌ 5. Business Disruption

• Heating failures in schools, care homes, gyms, restaurants, or offices can interrupt business operations, affect customer satisfaction, and harm staff wellbeing.

📈 How the Problem Builds Up Over Time

The process is gradual – but relentless:

1. Dissolved gases enter via new water or leaks.

2. Heat causes gases to come out of solution, forming bubbles.

3. Bubbles become entrained gases, circulating through the system.

4. Entrained gases collect and form large pockets (free gases).

5. Corrosion accelerates, releasing even more gas, and the cycle worsens.

6. Efficiency drops, costs rise, and system health declines.

This compounding effect means the longer you wait, the worse (and more expensive) the problem becomes.

✅ The Solution: VorteXtract

VorteXtract is a next-generation energy optimisation device specifically engineered to address all forms of gas contamination:

• Removes dissolved, entrained, and free gases automatically

• Prevents future gas build-up using vortex technology and fluid dynamics

• Improves heat transfer, making radiators hotter, faster

• Protects against corrosion, preventing magnetite and rust

• Reduces energy use and cuts heating bills by 15–20%

• Reduces carbon emissions by up to 20%, supporting environmental targets

It installs in just a few hours, requires no mechanical parts or maintenance, and comes with a performance guarantee.

🌍 Environmental Impact

Reducing the energy demand of your heating system has more than financial benefits:

• Lower carbon emissions (up to 20% reduction)

• Reduced need for carbon offset credits

• Improved sustainability reporting for ESG requirements

• Less reliance on volatile fossil fuels

For businesses aiming to reduce their environmental impact, improve ESG ratings, or cut carbon offset costs, VorteXtract offers a direct and measurable impact.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Dissolved, entrained, and free gases aren’t just a minor nuisance in your heating system – they’re a hidden drain on your profits, a threat to your equipment, and an obstacle to your sustainability goals.

Fortunately, the solution is simple, fast, and proven.

VorteXtract turns your existing heating system into a high-efficiency, low-carbon asset – without disruption, cost, or risk.