What is a MagnaClean?

What is a MagnaClean?

You’ve woken up. The radiators are colder than a penguin’s flippers. Your boiler’s making noises that sound like a dying walrus. And you’re pretty sure your heating system’s about to pack it in completely.

Fear not, weary homeowner, Heatable’s got your back, and we’re here to talk about MagnaClean, your boiler’s potential knight in shining armour. If your heating system’s gone from “toasty haven” to “glacial nightmare,” you might be dealing with a sludge-filled disaster lurking in your pipes.

Enter MagnaClean, a clever bit of kit from ADEY that promises to keep your system in tip-top shape without you needing to sell a kidney to pay for it. But what the bloody hell is it? Let’s break it down before you start smashing your radiators in frustration.

Reality check: If your boiler’s older than Stonehenge and keeps breaking down, skip this nonsense and get a new one from us. Quote in 60 seconds, fitted as fast as the next day, with up to 4 years 0% APR. Done.

Quick takeaways:

  • MagnaClean Prevents Sludge Build-Up: Effectively traps debris and rust, safeguarding your heating system from efficiency losses.

  • Regular Filter Cleaning is Crucial: Essential maintenance boosts performance—check and clean every 30 days or annually during servicing.

  • Proper Installation and Care Ensure Durability: Correct fitting (e.g., on the return pipe) and ongoing upkeep maximise the filter’s long-term reliability.

  • Get a new quote (finance available including 0% APR).

What Even is MagnaClean?

MagnaClean is like a superhero shield for your heating system. It’s a magnetic filtration device designed by the clever folks at ADEY, with over 5 million UK homes relying on it to keep sludge at bay.

Models like the MagnaClean Professional 2XP sit on your boiler’s pipework, using a powerful magnet to yank out sludge, rust, and debris, aka magnetite, the silent killer of heating efficiency.

Think of it as a bouncer for your pipes—letting clean water through while kicking muck to the curb. It’s a simple, affordable way to stop sludge in its tracks, perfect for keeping your system humming along.

Key Takeaway: MagnaClean prevents sludge build-up in your system, keeping your boiler from turning into a rusty heap.

MagnaClean vs. Magnacleanse: What’s the Difference?

You might hear “MagnaClean” and “Magnacleanse” thrown around and wonder if they’re the same thing. Spoiler: they’re not. MagnaClean is a permanent filter unit (like the Professional 2XP) that lives on your system, quietly trapping magnetite every day to maintain efficiency.

Magnacleanse, on the other hand, is a one-off cleaning process—think of it as a deep-clean detox. A Gas Safe engineer hooks up a Magnacleanse unit temporarily, flushes your pipes with water and chemicals, and uses magnets to pull out the gunk in a few hours.

MagnaClean is about prevention; Magnacleanse is about a quick fix for an existing mess. Both are ace, but MagnaClean’s the long-term champ.

Why Should You Care?

Because a gunked-up heating system is as useful as a soggy tea bag. Sludge and rust clog pipes, slow down water flow and make your boiler work harder than a one-legged man in a kicking contest.

That means cold radiators, sky-high bills, and a boiler that’s one tantrum away from conking out. A MagnaClean filter sorts that mess out, offering:

  • Cleaner water: No sludge or chemical nasties gumming up your system.

  • Better efficiency: Cleaner pipes = hotter radiators and lower energy bills.

  • Less faff: Fewer breakdowns and no need to bleed radiators every five minutes.

  • Faster heating: Your rooms warm up quicker than you can say “where’s my jumper?”

  • Longer lifespan: Less strain on your boiler and radiators means they’ll stick around longer.

“If your radiators are colder than your mother-in-law’s hugs, stop mucking about and fix it. Or just get a new boiler. Pretty please.” - Phill Cox, Heatable’s Sales Director.

How Does It Work?

No rocket science here—just pure, filthy brilliance:

  • Hook it up: A Gas Safe engineer fits the MagnaClean unit (like the Professional 2XP) onto your system’s return pipe near the boiler. Don’t even think about DIY-ing it with a fridge magnet—you’ll regret it.

  • Magnetic wizardry: The unit’s mega-magnet snares magnetite and debris as water flows through, leaving pristine water behind.

  • Job done: Once installed, it quietly keeps your system clean, day in, day out.

It’s a doddle to fit—over in less time than a Sunday roast. Pair it with an inhibitor (a chemical that stops future corrosion), and you’re golden. For extra oomph, a quick flush during installation can clear out existing muck, but the MagnaClean keeps things ticking over long-term.

MagnaClean vs. Powerflush: The Showdown

“Isn’t this just a posh powerflush?” you ask. Nah, mate—here’s the difference:

Feature

MagnaClean

Powerflush

Time

A few hours

A full day

Cost

£75-£110 + fitting

£500+

Mess

Barely a peep

Bit of kerfuffle

Best for

Ongoing sludge control

System that is proper knackered

MagnaClean is your everyday hero for preventing and managing mild to moderate gunk. Powerflush is the nuclear option for total chaos. If your boiler’s beyond saving, check our new boiler costs guide instead.

When to Get One

Spot these red flags, and it’s MagnaClean o’clock:

It’s a cracking way to boost efficiency and dodge costly repairs. But if your boiler’s ancient and falling apart faster than a cheap umbrella, get a quote from us—fitted next day, 0% APR available.

How to Keep It Ticking Over

A MagnaClean isn’t a “fit and forget” job—you’ve got to maintain it. Here’s the drill:

  • Clean it regularly: Check it every 30 days, or at least once a year during your boiler service. A quick rinse keeps it trapping sludge like a champ.

  • Proper install: Get it fitted right on the return pipe by a pro—size matters (22mm or 28mm, measure your pipes!).

  • Top-notch maintenance: Pair it with an inhibitor and flush your system every 5-7 years to keep sludge at bay.

Key Takeaway: Regular cleaning of the MagnaClean filter is essential for efficiency, and proper installation ensures long-lasting performance.

How Much Does It Cost?

A MagnaClean unit (like the Professional 2XP, 22mm) runs £75-£110, with installation adding a bit more (sometimes free with certain deals).

Factor in the savings—lower bills, fewer repairs—and it’s a no-brainer. Warranties? The Pro 2 and Micro 2 get 10 years; others get 2. Pick the right size, and you’re laughing.

Is It Worth It?

Yes, if you want hot radiators and a boiler that doesn’t hate you. Reviews give MagnaClean tech 5 stars for functionality, some moan about delivery or fitting hiccups, but the benefits (cleaner water, fewer breakdowns, faster heating) outweigh the faff. Can’t install it yourself? Leave it to the pros, don’t risk knackering your system.

Need a new boiler? Fit a MagnaClean filter with it for max results. Get a quote in 60 seconds, fitted next day, 0% APR available.

FAQ's

Most standard MagnaClean filters are good for at least 2 years, while ADEY’s sturdier models—like the Professional 2 or Micro 2—come with a 10-year warranty, so they’re designed to keep going that long with a bit of proper care. The magnet itself? That’s a lifelong trooper—it won’t give up on you. The trick is maintenance: miss the yearly clean (or monthly if your system’s a mess), and it’ll wear out sooner than you’d hope. Grubby setups need extra love—check it every 30 days to start, then ease off to once a year when it’s running smoothly. Hard water’s not the issue here; it’s all about rust and debris, not limescale. Look after it, and it’ll stick around longer than your average British summer.

Yep, you’ll want an inhibitor alongside your MagnaClean filter—it’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s a proper game-changer. This clever juice stops sludge and corrosion from gumming up your heating system, keeping it purring like a dream and shielding it from the kind of damage that’d have you weeping into your tea. Think of it as the MagnaClean’s trusty sidekick—together, they’ll keep your pipes cleaner than a whistle and your boiler happier than a cat in a sunbeam.

You should give your central heating system a proper flush every 5 to 7 years—or sooner if your radiators are acting like moody ice blocks or your heating’s gone sluggish. It’s like a detox for your pipes, blasting out sludge, debris, and all the nasty blockages that turn your system into a wheezing old nag. Get it done, and your efficiency will be back on track faster than you can say “where’s my hot water bottle?”

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Last updated 12 Mar, 2025

Sam Rigby
Written by Sam Rigby

Sam has spearheaded business development at Heatable, playing a crucial role in establishing the company as a market leader in a phenomenally boring industry.

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