It’s crucial to keep your house warm during the winter, but freezing pipes can seriously harm your heating system. Conventional systems use pipes filled with water to transfer heat; however, when the temperature drops, this water can freeze, bursting the pipes and requiring expensive repairs. For your heating system, a non-freezing coolant can be a game-changer, offering dependable warmth without the chance of freeze-related damage.
Liquids intended to withstand freezing at low temperatures are called non-freezing coolants, or antifreeze. They have substances in them that reduce the freezing point, so even in the most bitterly cold weather, your heating system will continue to function. If your system includes pipes that pass through unheated areas like garages, attics, or basements, this can be especially helpful.
Non-freezing coolants have advantages beyond keeping pipes from freezing. They can help your system last longer by reducing corrosion and scale buildup. By doing this, you can prolong the life of your heating equipment and save money on maintenance. Moreover, you can prevent the trouble and disruption that come with burst pipes and heating failures by keeping your system from freezing.
It’s important to take your heating system’s non-freezing coolant selection very seriously. The best antifreeze for your needs depends on a number of factors, including the kind of heating system you have, the climate where you live, and the materials that are used in your pipes. To make the best decision for your house and your budget, it’s critical to comprehend these aspects.
- Applicability in various heating systems.
- Use in systems with gas boilers.
- Application in systems with electric boilers.
- Use in systems with solid fuel boilers.
- Requirements for circulation pumps and expansion tanks.
- Which coolant is better for heating a private house
- What is the coolant and what it should be
- Features of the use of water as a coolant
- Antifreez for heating
- Types of non -freezing liquids and their properties
- Features of systems with antifreeze as a coolant
- How to upload a coolant
- Pour a dump
- Pour a submersible pump
- We use the pump for crimping
- Video on the topic
- Non -freezing for heating systems. How to breed a coolant correctly? (0+)
- Water or non -freezing, which is better for the heating system?
- Non -freezing kills heating?
- How to pour antifreeze in the heating system, Thermagent. What to choose ethylene glycol, propylene glycol?
- Antifreeze in the heating system, the opinion of the sofa expert with the district)
- What to pour into a heating system?
Applicability in various heating systems.
There are several limitations on the application of non-freezing coolant. Firstly, systems constructed of galvanized steel cannot use this type of coolant. This is because it reacts with double-octane alcohols, causing a large amount of thick sediment to fall. The consequences of this will be appalling; you will need to drain and rinse the system entirely.
Additionally, it is best to prevent localized coolant overheating. This kind of overheating can happen inside the boilers when the coolant temperature rises above the 70°C safe threshold. Localized overheating can cause precipitation, leaks in the joints, early coolant aging, and loss of anti-corrosion properties.
Use in systems with gas boilers.
It needs to be made clear whether low-freezing liquids are appropriate for gas boilers! Such details are provided in passports and boiler manufacturer catalogs. The majority of wall gas boilers have restrictions on the use of glycols, either total prohibition or use of propylene glycol with a minimum crystallization temperature of -20 °C. Propylene glycol is acceptable for floor boilers with large heat exchangers, unless the manufacturer’s passport or catalog states otherwise. Setting a thermostat to 70 °C is required for safety precautions.
Application in systems with electric boilers.
The same thing holds true for electric boilers: the coolant should not overheat locally. Consequently, we adjusted the circulation pump to run at its maximum speed and maintained the same temperature of 70 °C. You can be reasonably calm at this temperature, but you still need to take action if there are any leaks or offensive odors.
Use in systems with solid fuel boilers.
Compared to systems using gas or electric boilers, the risk of local overheating is even greater in this situation. Take caution when submerging the boiler to prevent a sharp increase in temperature. This is particularly crucial if the coolant crystallized because you haven’t submerged the boiler in water in a long time—a feature common to cottages and country homes. Once the system’s glycol has returned to liquid state, the circulation pump can be activated. It is preferable to prevent coolant from crystallizing because doing so will make the subsequent warming process more challenging and time-consuming.
Requirements for circulation pumps and expansion tanks.
Elevated viscosity that does not freeze puts more strain on the circulation pump. As a result, it is required to raise the pump’s pressure by 60% and its consumption by 10% to 15%. Additionally, the expansion tank’s volume must be raised. However, in this case, the specifications vary depending on the coolant concentration and system volume, so you’ll need to consult a passport or catalog where the manufacturer will list the required volume in a dedicated table.
Use glycols as a coolant only in dire circumstances as there are risks associated with their use. Most of the time, building a heating system on water will be simpler than building one on a low measurement fluid. Type your inquiries into the comments section. Remember to distribute links among your friends on social media.
Which coolant is better for heating a private house
In our country, it is nearly hard to go through the winter without heating because the device requires a lot of time, money, and effort. The most popular kind of heating is liquid (or water) heating. The coolant is one of its parts. How to upload and select a coolant for a heating system in an article.
What is the coolant and what it should be
The material that conducts heat transfer from the boiler to the radiators in a liquid heating system is called the coolant. Our systems use antifreeze or water, which are specific non-freezing liquids, as the water carrier. Several criteria need to guide your decision:
- Safety. From time to time, leaks occur in heating or they require maintenance and repair. So that the repair work is not dangerous, the coolant must be harmless.
- Harmless for the components of the heating system.
- Should have a high heat capacity to effectively transfer heat.
- Have a long service.
Features of the use of water as a coolant
From the point of view of the efficiency of heat transfer, water is the perfect coolant. It has a very high heat capacity and fluidity, which allows you to deliver heat to radiators in the required volume. What water to fill? If a closed system. You can pour water directly from the tap. Yes, tap water is imperfect in composition, it contains salts, a certain amount of mechanical impurities. And yes, they will settle on elements of the heating system. But this will happen once: in a closed system, the coolant circulates for years, a small amount is required very rarely. Therefore, no tangible harm will bring a certain amount of sediment. Water as a coolant for heating systems is almost perfect if the heating of an open type of requirement for the quality of water, as a coolant, is much higher. There is a gradual evaporation of water, which is periodically replenished – the water is added. Thus, it turns out that the concentration of salts in the liquid increases all the time. And this means that the sediment on the elements also accumulates. That is why in open -type heating systems (with an open expansion tank in the attic), purified or distilled water is poured. In this case, it is better to use distillates, but getting it in the required volume is problematic, and expensive. Then you can fill in purified water, which is passed through filters. The most critical is the presence of a large amount of iron and rigidity salts. Mechanical impurities are also useless, but the easiest way to deal with them is a few mesh filters with a cell of different sizes will help to catch most of them. In order not to buy purified water or distillate, it can be prepared independently. First, pour and defend to settled most of the iron. Tarelessly pour up the stained water into a large container and boil (do not close the lid). This removes hardness salts (potassium and magnesium). In principle, such water is already well prepared and it can be poured into the system. And then add up either with distilled water or drinking purified. This is not so much on his pocket as the initial filling.
Antifreez for heating
Types of non -freezing liquids and their properties
There are antifreezes on the basis of two substances: ethylene-glycol and propylene-glycol. The first is cheaper, freezes at lower temperatures, but very toxic. You can get poisoned not only by drinking, but even just soaking your hands or breathing in pairs. The second non-freezing coolant for the heating system is based on propylene-glycol.It is more expensive, but safe. Sometimes it is even used as a food supplement. Its minus (except for the price)-it loses fluidity at higher temperatures than propylene glycol. Ethylene-glycole coolant is very poisonous, despite high toxicity, ethylene-glycol coolants are more often bought. This is most likely associated with a price-propylene glycol is more than two times more than once. But ethylene-glycol antifreezes in pure form are also chemically active, can be foamed, has increased fluidity. With foam and activity fight additives, and increased fluidity is not adjusted in any way. Paired with toxicity, she is a dangerous combination. If there is somewhere the slightest opportunity, this antifreeze will proceed. And since his couples are poisonous, this will not lead to anything good. Therefore, if possible, use propylene glycol. Another important drawback is that ethylene-glycol reacts very poorly to overheating, and overheating occurs at a fairly low temperature. Already at +70 ° C, a large amount of sediment is formed, which settles on the elements of the heating system. Deposits reduce heat transfer, which again leads to overheating. In this regard, in systems with solid fuel boilers, such antifreezes do not use. Propylene-glycol, on the contrary, is chemically almost neutral. It reacts the least of all coolants with other substances, overheating occurs at higher temperatures and leads not to such consequences.
Propylene-glycole coolant is safe. But it costs more and freezes at higher temperatures at the end of the last century an antifreeze was developed for glycerol -based heating systems. He is a something between ethylene and propylene coolants. He is safe for a person, but does not affect the gaskets very well, also responds poorly to overheating. At the price and temperature characteristics, it is approximately in the same range as propylene coolants (see the table).
Features of systems with antifreeze as a coolant
Coolant is a crucial consideration in the initial stages of heating system design. This is caused by non-freezing liquids’ reduced heat capacity in addition to other characteristics. The following issues could arise if all the equipment was made for water and antifreeze is poured into it:
- Not enough power and the house will be cold. This is due to the lower thermal conductivity of antifreeze. You can solve this problem with low blood – increase the speed of the coolant, setting a more powerful circulation pump. But in a good way, an increase in the number of radiator sections is required .
- In a closed type, the volume of an expansion tank may be insufficient. This is due to the fact that when heating non -freezing expand more than water. Exit – put another tank. The total volume should be slightly larger than the required (the volume can be taken from the table).
You know that water is the ideal coolant for the heating system. It has superior qualities and is occasionally less expensive. You must add antifreeze—specifically for heating, not for your car—if the heating system is in danger of defrosting. In this instance, using propylene glycol makes more sense if there are enough resources available. Extreme case: ethylene does not freeze. They work well in closed systems that have automated boilers and unique gaskets installed to prevent overheating.
Add dyes to the coolants to make it easier for customers to navigate. Red or pink in ethylene, green in propylene, and blue in glycerin. After a while, the abyss may completely disappear or the color may become extremely intense. This is caused by dyes being destroyed by heat; the antifreeze’s inherent qualities are unaffected.
How to upload a coolant
Open systems are filled via an expansion tank, so issues are typically limited to closed systems. You just pour the heating coolant into it. It disperses beneath the system due to gravity. Ensuring that every air vent is open is crucial when adding fluid to the system.
An expansion tank is used to fill an open heating system.
Coolant can be added to a closed heating system in a few different ways. There is an alternative method of filling that uses gravity rather than technology. It involves installing a submersible pump of the "baby" or "special" variety.
Pour a dump
It takes a long time to download a coolant for a heating system using this method, even though no equipment is needed. It takes a while to dial in the desired pressure and a long time to squeeze the air. We use a car pump to pump it, by the way. The equipment will therefore still be needed.
Locate the highest point. Usually, some of the gas seizures look like this (we remove it). We open the crane to allow the coolant to descend to its lowest point during filling. Water flows through it, filling the system.
By using this technique, you can raise the barrel above the entrance point, attach the hose to the water supply, and then pour the prepared water into the system. It is also necessary to wear protective rubber gloves, clothes, and a respirator when handling ethylene glycol when pouring antifreeze. A substance turns toxic and needs to be destroyed if it gets on fabric or another material.
Using a manometer, check the pressure
When the system is filled (water ran from the drain tap), we take a rubber hose with a length of about 1.5 meters, we attach it to the entrance to the system. Select the entrance so that the manometer is visible. At this point we install the check valve and the ball valve. To the free end of the hose, we fasten an easily removed adapter for connecting a car pump. Having removed the adapter, pour the coolant into the hose (hold it up up). After filling the hose, using the adapter we connect the pump, open the ball valve and pump the liquid into the system. It is necessary to monitor the air does not upload. Когда почти вся содержащаяся в шланге вода закачана, кран закрывается, операция повторяется. On small systems to get 1.5 bar, you will have to repeat it 5-7 times, with large you will have to mess with longer.
Pour a submersible pump
A low-power submarine pump, such as baby, can be used to pump coolant for the heating system in order to establish a working pressure. We attach it to the lowest point, which is not the system’s drain point. We install a ball valve at the system’s drainage point and connect the pump via a check and ball valve.
After adding coolant to the container and lowering the pump, activate it. We add coolant continuously throughout the process because the pump shouldn’t drive air.
We follow the pressure gauge throughout the procedure. The system is filled as soon as his arrow leaves the zero mark. Air will pass through radiator manual air vents if they are left open until this point. They have to be closed as soon as the system is full.
Subsequently, we start to increase the pressure while continuing to use the pump to circulate the coolant for the heating system. Click the ball crane and stop the pump when it reaches the necessary mark. Let the air out of every vent, including the radiators. The pressure decreases as the air escapes. Restart the pump and let some coolant escape until the pressure reaches the intended level. Roll the air once more. We keep doing this until their air vents stop malfunctioning.
You can then turn on the circulation pump and give the air another shake. The coolant for the sloping heating system will continue to function normally if the pressure doesn’t change. It can be incorporated into the work.
We use the pump for crimping
The same as in the previously mentioned instance, the system is filled. Here, the pump makes use of a unique. Usually done by hand, the coolant for the heating system is poured into a container. The liquid is pumped to the system via the hose from this container. It is available for rent from companies that sell water supply pipes. Purchasing it makes sense in theory because using antifreeze requires regular replacement, which requires reloading the system.
This is a hand crimping pump that allows you to add coolant to a heating system.
The lever is relatively simple to operate when the system is filled; however, as the pressure rises, the lever becomes more difficult to operate. There is a pressure gauge inside the system and on the pump. Wherever it is more convenient, you can monitor. The process then proceeds as previously mentioned: air is lowered, the necessary pressure is pumped up to, and the process is repeated. Thus, until there is no more air in the system. Following that, we also pull the air and start the circulation for five minutes (or the entire system, if the pump is in the boiler). We also say it multiple times.
Type of Coolant | Key Benefits |
Propylene Glycol | Safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly; ideal for residential systems. |
Ethylene Glycol | Excellent heat transfer; used in industrial settings, but toxic, so not recommended for homes. |
Your heating system can benefit greatly from the use of a non-freezing coolant, particularly in areas where temperatures can fall below freezing. This kind of coolant aids in preventing ice expansion-related damage to your pipes and other heating components. By keeping it from freezing, you also lessen the chance of expensive repairs and burst pipes.
Think about things like safety, compatibility, and environmental impact when selecting a non-freezing coolant. Choose a coolant that is safe for both your system and the environment, as some contain chemicals that could be hazardous if spilled. To prevent corrosion and other damage, also confirm that the materials work well together with your heating system.
Maintaining a non-freezing coolant also requires attention to detail. Maintain the antifreeze properties of the coolant and periodically inspect the system for leaks. Maintaining the smooth and effective operation of your heating system can be aided by an occasional flush and refill.
In the end, many homeowners find that using a non-freezing coolant is a wise decision. During the winter, you can feel more at ease knowing that your heating system is less likely to malfunction because of the low temperatures. This investment can provide warm, comfortable living conditions for your house all year long with the right upkeep and care.
Selecting a non-freezing coolant for your heating system is essential if you want to keep your home warm throughout the winter, especially if you live somewhere where it gets below freezing. In contrast to water, which has the potential to freeze and burst pipes, non-freezing coolants are designed to endure extremely low temperatures without solidifying. This kind of coolant, which is frequently manufactured with antifreeze ingredients like ethylene or propylene glycol, keeps your heating system running smoothly even in the coldest weather while also safeguarding your pipes. By taking preventative measures for heating system maintenance, you can avoid expensive repairs and ensure that your house stays warm and cozy all winter long.