Which coolant to choose for a heating system

The efficacy and efficiency of your heating system can be greatly impacted by the coolant you choose for your home heating system. With so many options available, it’s critical to comprehend how they differ and how they may impact the comfort and energy use of your home.

The kind of heating system you have is one of the most important factors to take into account when choosing a coolant. Depending on how they work best, modern heat pumps, radiant floor heating systems, and conventional boiler systems may all need a different kind of coolant.

The coolant’s effect on the environment is a crucial additional consideration. Many homeowners are searching for eco-friendly solutions that reduce their carbon footprint as worries about climate change continue to mount. Thankfully, a number of green coolants are now accessible that provide effective heating without damaging the environment.

For many homeowners, cost is also a major factor. Even though some coolants might cost more up front, they might end up saving you money over time by lowering your energy costs or requiring less frequent maintenance. Having a better understanding of the total cost of ownership will enable you to make wiser choices.

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).

If conventional rubber gaskets are used, when using ethylene-glycol or glycerin, they will destroy and flow after some short time. Therefore, before pouring the antifreeze in all detachable compounds, the gaskets are replaced with paronite or Teflon.

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.

Heating coolant for heating systems – water or antifreeze, which is better?

Choosing the right coolant for your heating system is crucial for its efficiency and longevity. With various options available, including water, antifreeze, and hybrid solutions, it"s essential to consider factors like compatibility with your system, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness. Water is the most common coolant, being cheap and environmentally friendly, but it"s prone to freezing in cold climates. Antifreeze, like ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, prevents freezing and corrosion, but it can be toxic if ingested and may require special handling. Hybrid coolants offer a balance, combining the benefits of water and antifreeze, but they can be pricier. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and environmental concerns. Consulting with a heating professional can help you make an informed decision tailored to your home"s heating requirements.

What should be the coolant?

Regretfully, the perfect fluid for the heating system has not yet been discovered. This indicates that only specific circumstances allow for the successful operation of every known material.

One crucial factor, for instance, is the temperature of the coolant in the heating system; if this is not maintained, the substance’s properties are altered and the system stops working.

Which coolant (antifreeze or water) is used will determine how the heating system is designed overall.

If you arrange on the shelves, the proper coolant needs to accomplish the following:

• tolerate the maximum heat in a short amount of time around the perimeter of the working area (for example, a private house); In this case, heat loss should be minimal;
• have a small viscosity, since this indicator affects the pumping rate, therefore, the size of the efficiency;
• should not be the cause of corrosion of the components and mechanisms of the system, otherwise there will be a limitation when choosing them;
• It should be safe for residents of the house, that is, not exceed the norms for the temperature of the fire or toxicity (the same requirements and to fluid pairs).

The coolant’s price is also crucial; if it’s expensive, it should either be reasonably priced or have qualities that let you use it for a long time before needing to be replaced.

Water in the heating system

Water’s highest fluidity and density among all liquids account for its widespread use. For instance, 20 kcal of heat is released when a kilogram of water that was 90º cools to 70º in a radiator.

The most affordable, eco-friendly, and safe coolant is water.

Water is completely safe for human consumption, unlike synthetic substances that have different toxicological and environmental qualities. Leakage won’t be too problematic in most cases, and its drawback can be easily compensated for by adding the necessary amount of liquid to the system. There is no cooler that is more affordable or has competitors at this price point.

Take note! Because regular tap water is high in oxygen and salts and can cause scale and corrosion over time, it is not advised to use it in heating systems.

Water needs to be softened in order for the system to run perfectly. There are two sensible approaches:

1. Thermal, based on elementary boiling. Water is placed in a large metal tank and heats up. In the process of boiling, carbon dioxide is removed, salts are deposited at the bottom of the vessel. Unfortunately, persistent compounds of calcium and magnesium will remain in the water.
2. Chemical, acting at the expense of reagents. With the help of calcified soda, bashized lime, sodium orthophosphate, the salt in water becomes insoluble, fall out in the form of sedimentation. Subsequent filtering will eliminate the remnants of substances.

While regular tap water can be used, distilled water is the best option, with the only drawback being its cost. Many use rainwater, which has advantages over tap, well, and artesian water.

The temperature regime of the heating system coolant is one of the most important parameters in the case of water. The liquid in the pipes freezes as soon as the building’s air temperature falls below 0°C, posing a major risk to the heating system.

Antifreeze heating system

As winter approaches, "non-freezing"—that is, non-freezing fluid for the heating system—becomes important. Such coolant-filled pipes won’t burst at low temperatures, which is crucial for homeowners who use their homes sporadically. This kind of thermal energy is carried by antifreeze. It is typically made to function at either -30 °C or -65 °C.

Unlike water, antifreeze for heating systems goes into a gel-like state rather than hardening if the temperature indicator falls below normal. He regains his original properties and does not endanger the heating contour upon returning to a liquid state.

Certain varieties of antifreeze can function down to very low temperatures.

Manufacturers add special inhibitors, or additives, to the liquid to remove scale or corrosion foci. Their contribution extends the heating system’s lifespan by multiple years. But keep in mind that additives are only appropriate for specific building materials, and heating antifreeze is not a universal fluid. Some of them have the power to destroy polymer pipes, while others can lead to electrochemical corrosion.

Take note! Antifreeze typically lasts five years (10 seasons). The coolant must be replaced in its entirety after the allotted time. Three years is the recommended working period by manufacturers.

In addition to the benefits, there are a few drawbacks when comparing antifreeze to water:

• increased viscosity requires equipment of heating equipment with a powerful circulation pump;
• 15% lower heat capacity, therefore, the amount of heat given is less;
• The detachable joints should be sealed more thoroughly;
• Radiators are required, which are 50% more in volume than analogues for water;
• an expansion closed tank is required, since an increased expansion occurs during heating;
• the toxicity of the substance (for example, ethylene glycol) as part of antifreeze provides for the use of it in a single -circuit boilers.

Therefore, it is essential to consider installing a larger expansion tank and a more powerful pump before adding antifreeze to the heating system. Radiators should be large, and pipes should have a bigger diameter. Teflon or Paronite gaskets work better for compaction of detachable connections. The only water you’ll need to dilute the antifreeze is distilled water. The entire heating system, including the boiler, must be flushed before adding more antifreeze.

So what to choose?

The ideal fluid to use for heating radiators is typically determined by the temperature of the winter season.

It is preferable to stay on filtered water if the thermometer column does not drop below +5 °C. Antifreeze is needed in heating systems during the cold winter months. Of course, you can use water, and in order to protect the equipment, you should drain it from the pipes.However, in this instance, the high humidity poses a risk of corrosion, which will fill radiators and empty pipes.

Take note! Since the heating systems under water and those under antifreeze differ greatly, the type of heating system is chosen during the design phase.

What should you keep in mind when selecting antifreeze? It is essential to thoroughly examine the following features of the heating system before adding coolant:

• composition and purpose of additives;
• the ability to interact with the details of the heating system made of plastic, non -ferrous metals, cast iron, rubber;
• low temperature;
• the term of application;
• Safety for man and nature.

Everything is set up in accordance with the conventional scheme of open or closed type if water is used as a coolant.

Antifreeze causes the surface of the heating elements to overheat from high heat, which makes it extremely ineffective for use in electric boilers. In email, disable the service life. Age of boilers: 1-2 years. In other situations, the fuel type is irrelevant and only the heat exchanger’s design matters. Antifreeze can destroy the seals between the sections of a cast-iron boiler’s heat exchanger, which is why the manufacturers do not advise using it. Although it is practically unlikely, antifreeze can theoretically seep into food water in dual-circuit steel boilers, so using it there is not advised. However, it is acceptable in single-circuit steel boilers.

Types of Coolant	Key Characteristics
Water	Commonly used, efficient heat transfer, affordable
Antifreeze	Protects against freezing, prevents corrosion, extends system lifespan

There are a few things to take into account when selecting the proper coolant for your heating system. First and foremost, it’s critical to evaluate the unique needs of your heating system and the surroundings in which it functions. The performance and compatibility of different coolants with various heating systems vary.

Your type of heating system is one of the most important factors to take into account. For instance, the most popular and affordable coolant for a traditional boiler system is water. Water is a cheap, easily accessible, and effective heat-transfer medium. However, anti-freeze additives might be required in areas where freezing temperatures are frequent in order to keep pipes from bursting.

It might be necessary to use specific coolants for more sophisticated heating systems, like solar or geothermal systems. These systems frequently have particular requirements for controlling corrosion and scale, or they operate at higher temperatures. Because propylene glycol-based solutions are non-toxic and can tolerate higher temperatures, they are frequently used in such situations.

The selection of coolant is also heavily influenced by environmental factors. Many conventional coolants, like ethylene glycol, are hazardous and could harm the environment if they leak or are disposed of incorrectly. The use of environmentally friendly substitutes, like bio-based or non-toxic propylene glycol solutions, is therefore becoming more and more popular.

In the end, the type of system, environmental factors, and performance requirements all play a role in the coolant choice for your heating system. Speaking with a licensed heating engineer or contractor can assist you in weighing your options and coming to a decision that best suits your needs.

Video on the topic

Choosing water to fill the heating system

How to fill the heating system in a private house? Water or alcohol -what is better for the heating system of the house

The coolant is only water!

🌕 What to pour into a heating system? Water or non -freezing? What will the boiler rooms and famous bloggers say!