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+38 (067) 55-999-07 What is a heating fluid for heating systems? What coolant to choose?
Thanks to the latest technologies, over the past 5-7 years, the number of owners of houses with an autonomous heating system, which are flooded as a coolant for heating systems, has significantly decreased water. Especially if the residents of the house are not permanently there, but periodically, then preference is given to the all-season and versatility of the coolant used. After all, everyone knows the main disadvantages of water poured into the heating system :< /strong>
- highly corrosive
- scaling property
- deposits on pipeline walls
- crystallizes and freezes at temperatures from 0ºС and below, which entails an expansion in the volume of such a coolant< /li>
As a result, pipe breaks in the system, damage to expensive equipment. To avoid such unpleasant consequences you need to use a special coolant or antifreeze for heating systems.
However, often the consumer faces a difficult task – what coolant is best for a heating system, how to choose a truly high-quality, and economical product?
There are a lot of coolant and coolant options on the market now, but are they all safe and compatible with your type of system or with the metal they are made of details of the heating system? Let’s figure it out!
What are the coolants, the main types:
1. Heating fluid based on propylene glycol
Benefits
- does not freeze or expand in sub-zero temperatures
- safe for humans
- allowed for use in open systems
- has a wide temperature range
- can be used in double-circuit boilers
- long service life up to 8-10 years
- no need to drain from the system in winter
- non-corrosive, compatible with any system material
Flaw
- has high fluidity compared to water, requires high-quality assembly of system connections
2. Antifreeze as a coolant. Or ethylene glycol-based coolant.
Benefits:
- cold-resistant
- wide temperature range (up to -70C)
- Long maintenance period
Weaknesses:
- Toxic to humans. It is not recommended to use such a coolant for the home, as well as for food production.
- recommended for use in closed systems only
- Forbidden to use in double-circuit heating systems
- Has a high fluidity compared to water, requires high-quality assembly of system connections
3. Salt coolant for heating systems
Benefits:
- Inexpensive price
- Able to withstand temperatures down to -55ºC
- Recommended for use in electrode boilers
Weaknesses:
- Very highly corrosive
- Negative impact on the rubber bands and seals of the heating system
- Deposit formation on system walls
4. Glycerine-based heat transfer fluid
Benefits:< /strong>
- Lower price than propylene glycol coolant
- Does not freeze or expand at sub-zero temperatures
- Eco-friendly and safe for humans
- Not aggressive to system materials and seals
- Has a wide temperature range (from -30 to 95ºС)
- Does not need to be drained from the system in winter
Flaw:
- More viscous than water, propylene glycol solution and ethylene glycol solution. To circulate through the system, you will need a powerful pump
5. Alcohol as a coolant.
Benefits:
- Crystallization temperature up to -30ºС and below
- Sustainable
Weaknesses:
- Used only in closed systems
- Very volatile
- Highly corrosive
- High Fire Danger
Us somehow a request was received: is it possible to pour mining oil and alcohol into the heating system?
We answer. Firstly, used oil contains many third-party impurities and components, which can greatly harm the equipment of your heating system, and the process of filtering such oil will be expensive; secondly, at the slightest leak or leakage of the system, if a direct source of fire enters, there is a real danger of ignition of such a coolant in the heating system.
Whether it is necessary to live with such a powder keg in the house, when there are many safe alternatives, is of course up to you to decide. But we do not recommend using mining oil as a coolant.
To sum up, there is no absolutely perfect coolant. Antifreeze or coolant for the heating system must be selected based on the type of system being designed or already installed, its purpose and technical characteristics of the model, as well as environmental friendliness and safety.
You should also consider the following factors:
- Any glycol coolant has a large coefficient of expansion, unlike water, this should be taken into account when choosing the volume of the expansion tank of the system
- heat transfer fluids are more fluid than water , therefore, before filling the system, carefully check all joints and seals in order to avoid leaks.
- It is recommended to use linen strand (tow) with sealing paste (for example, Unipak) to assemble threaded connections.< /li>
- If you choose a coolant for an electrode (ion) boiler, use the recommendations of the heating equipment manufacturer.
- Be sure to flush the system before replacing and filling the coolant.
- If you have purchased a coolant concentrate to dilute it, you must use only distilled water.
- Follow the correct proportion when diluting the concentrate, we do not recommend bringing the solution to a crystallization temperature above -20ºС .
- When calculating the heating system, select a pump according to its power corresponding to the coolant used in the future and equip the system with a thermostat.
- After filling the system and starting the boiler, we recommend gradually increase power. This will allow the antifreeze to gradually expand and enter its optimal working state.
Choose environmentally friendly and safe heat transfer fluids based on propylene glycol or glycerin, not save on your health and the health of your loved ones.
Specialists Companies Novohim will help you make the right choice of coolant, taking into account all the individual features of the heating system, give full technical advice, and also calculate the amount of antifreeze required.