It is almost impossible to survive in winter without heating in our country, so a lot of time, effort and money are devoted to its installation. The most common type of heating in our country is water (liquid) heating. Its component is the coolant. How to choose a coolant for a heating system, how to pump it in - in the article.

What is a coolant and what should it be like?

The coolant in a liquid heating system is the substance through which heat is transferred from the boiler to the radiators. Our systems use water or special antifreeze liquids as a coolant. When choosing, you must be guided by several criteria:

• Safety. From time to time, heating systems leak or require maintenance and repair. To ensure that repair work is not dangerous, the coolant must be harmless.
• Harmless to heating system components.
• Must have high thermal capacity to transfer heat effectively.
• Have a long service life.

The coolant for heating systems is selected according to operating conditions

Taking into account these requirements, the most suitable liquid for the heating system is water. It is safe, harmless, has a high heat capacity, and its service life is unlimited. But in those heating systems where there is a high probability of downtime in winter, water can do a poor job. If it freezes, it will burst pipes and/or radiators. That’s why antifreeze is used in such systems. At subzero temperatures they lose fluidity, but the equipment does not tear. So choosing a coolant for a heating system from this point of view is easy: if the system is always under supervision and in working order, you can use water. If the house is temporary (dacha) or can be left unattended for a long time (business trips, winter vacation), if frequent and/or long-term power outages are possible in the region, it is better to pour antifreeze into the system.

Features of using water as a coolant

From the point of view of heat transfer efficiency, water is an ideal coolant. It has a very high heat capacity and fluidity, which allows it to deliver heat to the radiators in the required volume. What kind of water should I fill? If the system is closed. You can fill the water directly from the tap.

Yes, tap water is not ideal in composition; it contains salts and a certain amount of mechanical impurities. And yes, they will settle on the elements of the heating system. But this will happen once: in a closed system, the coolant circulates for years, and replenishment with a small amount is very rarely required. Therefore, some amount of sediment will not cause any tangible harm.

Water as a coolant for heating systems is almost ideal

If the heating is of an open type, the requirements for the quality of water as a coolant are much higher. Here there is a gradual evaporation of water, which is periodically replenished - water is added. Thus, it turns out that the concentration of salts in the liquid increases all the time. This means that sediment also accumulates on the elements. That is why purified or distilled water is poured into open-type heating systems (with an open expansion tank in the attic).

In this case, it is better to use distillate, but getting it in the required volume can be problematic and expensive. Then you can fill in purified water that has been passed through filters. The most critical is the presence of large amounts of iron and hardness salts. Mechanical impurities are also useless, but they are the easiest to deal with - several mesh filters with cells of different sizes will help catch most of them.

In order not to buy purified water or distillate, you can prepare it yourself. First, pour and let sit until most of the iron settles. Carefully pour the settled water into a large container and boil (do not cover with a lid). This removes hardness salts (potassium and magnesium). In principle, such water is already well prepared and can be poured into the system. And then top up with either distilled water or purified drinking water. This is no longer as expensive as the initial fill.

Antifreeze for heating

In addition to water, special non-freezing liquids - antifreeze - are poured into heating systems. Usually these are aqueous solutions of polyhydric alcohols. Not so long ago, glycerin-based antifreeze appeared on our market. So now there are three types of non-freezing liquids for heating systems.

Types of non-freezing liquids and their properties

Antifreezes are based on two substances: ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The first is cheaper, freezes at lower temperatures, but is very toxic. You can get poisoned not only by drinking, but even by simply getting your hands wet or inhaling fumes. 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 dietary supplement. Its disadvantage (besides the price) is that it loses fluidity at higher temperatures than propylene glycol.

Ethylene glycol coolant is very toxic

Despite their high toxicity, ethylene glycol coolants are more often purchased. This is most likely due to the price - propylene glycol is twice as expensive. But ethylene glycol antifreeze in its pure form is also chemically active, can foam, and has increased fluidity. Foam and activity are combated with additives, and increased fluidity is not corrected in any way. Paired with toxicity, it is a dangerous combination. If there is the slightest possibility somewhere, this antifreeze will leak. And since its vapors 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, such antifreezes are not used in systems with solid fuel boilers.

Propylene glycol, on the contrary, is chemically almost neutral. It reacts less than other coolants with other substances; overheating occurs at higher temperatures and does not lead to the same consequences.

Propylene glycol coolant is safe. but costs more and freezes at higher temperatures

At the end of the last century, antifreeze for heating systems based on glycerin was developed. It is a cross between ethylene and propylene coolants. It is safe for humans, but does not have a very good effect on gaskets, and also reacts poorly to overheating. In terms of price and temperature characteristics, it is approximately in the same range as propylene coolants (see table).

Features of systems with antifreeze as a coolant

When designing a heating system, the coolant must initially be taken into account. This is due to the lower heat capacity of non-freezing liquids, as well as their other properties. If all the equipment was designed for water, and antifreeze is poured into it, the following problems may arise:

• There won't be enough power and the house will be cold. This is due to the lower thermal conductivity of antifreeze. This problem can be solved with little effort - increase the speed of the coolant by installing a more powerful circulation pump. But in an amicable way, an increase in the number of radiator sections is required.
• In closed systems, the volume of the expansion tank may be insufficient. This is due to the fact that when heated, antifreezes expand more than water. The solution is to install another tank. The total volume should be slightly larger than required (the volume can be taken from the table).

Expansion tank volume for different types of coolant

• If regular rubber gaskets are used, if ethylene glycol or glycerin is used, they will break down and leak after a short time. Therefore, before adding antifreeze, the gaskets in all detachable connections are replaced with paronite or Teflon ones.

As you understand, the best coolant for a heating system is water. It has better characteristics and is several times cheaper. If the heating is in danger of defrosting, you have to fill in antifreeze, but not for automobiles, but special ones for heating. In this case, if you have enough funds, it is better to use propylene glycol. Ethylene antifreezes are a last resort. They are suitable in closed systems, in which special gaskets and automated boilers are installed that will prevent overheating.

To make it easier for customers to navigate, dyes are added to coolants. Ethylene ones are red or pink, propylene ones are green, glycerin ones are blue. After some time, the color may become less intense or disappear completely. This occurs due to thermal destruction of dyes, but does not affect the properties of the antifreeze itself.

How to pump coolant

Problems usually arise only with closed systems, since open ones are filled through an expansion tank. The coolant for the heating system is simply poured into it. It spreads throughout the system under the influence of gravity. It is important that all air vents are open when filling the system.

An open heating system is filled through an expansion tank

There are several ways to charge a closed heating system with coolant. There is a method of filling without the use of equipment - by gravity, there is a submersible pump of the “Kid” type or a special one, with the help of which pressure testing of the system is done.

Fill by gravity

Although this method of pumping coolant for a heating system does not require equipment, it takes a lot of time. You have to squeeze out the air for a long time and also gain the required pressure for a long time. By the way, we pump it up with a car pump. So you will still need equipment.

Finding the highest point. Usually this is one of the gas vents (we remove it). When filling, open the valve to drain the coolant (lowest point). When water runs through it, the system is full.

With this method, you can connect a hose from the water supply, you can pour prepared water into a barrel, raise it above the entry point and then pour it into the system. Antifreeze is also added, but when working with ethylene glycol you will need a respirator, protective rubber gloves and clothing. If the substance gets on fabric or other material, it also becomes toxic and must be destroyed.

You need to monitor the pressure using a pressure gauge

When the system is full (water runs out of the drain tap), take a rubber hose about 1.5 meters long and attach it to the entrance to the system. We select the entrance so that the pressure gauge is visible. At this point we install a check valve and a ball valve. To the free end of the hose we attach an easily removable adapter for connecting a car pump. Having removed the adapter, pour coolant into the hose (keep it raised up). After filling the hose, use an adapter to connect the pump, open the ball valve and pump liquid into the system. You need to make sure that air is not pumped in. When almost all the water contained in the hose has been pumped in, the tap is closed and the operation is repeated. On small systems, to get 1.5 Bar, you will have to repeat it 5-7 times, with larger ones you will have to tinker longer.

Fill using a submersible pump

To create working pressure, the coolant for the heating system can be pumped with a low-power submersible pump like Malysh. We connect it to the lowest point (not the system drain point). We connect the pump through a ball valve and a check valve, and install a ball valve at the drain point of the system.

We pour the coolant into the container, lower the pump, and turn it on. During operation, we constantly add coolant - the pump should not drive air.

We monitor the pressure gauge during this process. As soon as its needle moves from the zero mark, the system is full. Until this moment, manual air vents on radiators can be opened - air will escape through them. As soon as the system is full, they must be closed.

Next, we begin to increase the pressure - we continue to pump the coolant for the heating system with the pump. When it reaches the required level, we stop the pump and close the ball valve. We open all the air vents (on the radiators too). The air comes out, the pressure drops. We turn on the pump again, pump up a little coolant until the pressure reaches the design value. We release the air again. We repeat this until air stops coming out of their air vents.

We use a pump for crimping

The system is filled in the same way as in the case described above. In this case, a special pump is used. It is usually manual, with a container into which the coolant for the heating system is poured. From this container, liquid is pumped through a hose into the system. You can rent it from companies that sell water pipes. In principle, it makes sense to buy it - if you use antifreeze, it will have to be changed periodically, that is, the system will have to be filled again.

This is a manual pump for pressure testing, with which you can pump coolant for the heating system

When the system is filled, the lever moves more or less easily, but when the pressure rises, it becomes more difficult to work. There is a pressure gauge both on the pump and in the system. You can follow where it is more convenient. Next, the sequence is the same as described above: pump up to the required pressure, deflate the air, repeat again. Do this until there is no air left in the system. After that, we also start the circulation system for about five minutes (or the entire system, if the pump is in the boiler), and bleed the air. We also repeat several times.

Which coolant is best for heating a private house?

How to choose a coolant for a heating system, what they are, their pros and cons. How and with what to pump the selected coolant.

Source: stroychik.ru

Where can I buy?

News on the topic “coolant for electrode heating boilers”

10/06/2013 - Moskovsky Komsomolets

The next most popular type is the electrode boiler (ionic). Water is heated by the flow of electric current through the coolant. And the properties of the coolant, in turn, depend on the amount of impurities. Energy saving issues should be considered when designing a house...

05/03/2017 - TUT.BY (press release)

wall heater in the kitchen Autonomous heating and hot water supply for a country house is a reasonable solution that property owners choose. The advantages are obvious: saving money, the ability to decide when to heat...

Found on the Internet for the query “coolant for electrode heating boilers”

How it works and the choice of coolant for an electrode boiler

The attention of owners of country houses and even apartments is attracted by innovative electrode heating boilers. Their characteristics are impressive, the design and method of heating water are amazing, and the expectations from them after reading the advertising brochure are high. Now you need to figure out how effective electrode boilers are for heating a private home and what are the features of their operation.

Principle of operation

In heating equipment powered by electricity, heat is generated by heating a conductor through which a large electrical current flows. Exceptions include heat pumps and air conditioners, however, the working fluid in them is not electricity as such.

If in heating element or induction boilers the conductor and heater is a refractory metal wire or the body of the device, then in electrode boilers the current is passed directly through the coolant.

Water containing salts and other impurities is a good conductor, and when current is passed through it, as is the case with any conducting medium, heat is released in proportion to the strength of the current.

An electrode boiler is always a flow-type design. The electrodes are fixed inside the boiler in such a way that there is a small gap between them. Electric current passes only if the space is filled with a conductive liquid.

When the power is turned on, a potential difference occurs between the electrodes. Negative and positive salt ions present in the coolant rush to the correspondingly charged electrodes. Collisions of molecules during movement are accompanied by the release of heat, which heats up the solution.

The electrode boiler is powered by alternating voltage. The sign of the charge on the electrodes changes with a frequency similar to that of the supply line - 50 Hz. Changing the polarity protects the system from the formation of electrolysis gases, the stable splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen, and the deposition of salt components on all conductive surfaces.

Boiler operation diagram

The bottom line is:

Heating the coolant without the use of intermediaries.

The correct choice of coolant with a conductivity of at least 1 kOhm/cm is important.

The boiler and heating require thorough grounding, otherwise users may be electrocuted when in contact with metal elements of the system and static discharge in the case of polymer surfaces.

Among the features of electrode boilers, it should be noted:

• The electrode deteriorates over time and requires regular replacement; if this is not done, the efficiency of the boiler decreases and the risk of arc breakdown increases. Which is dangerous for the entire electrical system of the house.
• Requires a powerful electrical input into the house, a separate power supply branch and always before the RCD (Residual Current Device).

The boiler manufacturer regulates the maximum permissible volume of coolant in the system. The approximate ratio is 10 liters for each kW of power. This is easy to achieve if the heating is designed from scratch. However, the inclusion of a boiler in an existing design, for example, with cast iron radiators with large sections, will lead to a significant decrease in the efficiency of the boiler or its incorrect operation.

The conductivity of the solution increases with its temperature, therefore the indicated rated power is only achieved at 70°C or 90°C.

Coolant

Electrode boilers are sensitive to the composition of the coolant. In accordance with the requirements of the manufacturers, only distilled water should be used, to which table salt is added, approximately 80-100 grams for every 100 liters. The difficulty lies in the fact that the final density and conductivity of the solution must be in strict accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. It is impossible to determine the exact amount of salt, and it can give different results depending on its composition.

The final preparation of the solution is carried out locally, based on the actual current values ​​in the electronic boiler. The instructions for the device provide a table of the required values ​​depending on the boiler power, coolant volume, etc. By adding distilled water or salt, the coolant resistance is brought to ideal.

Only compounds provided by the boiler manufacturer are used as antifreeze. When they are used, the proportion of salt in the solution also changes.

There is a mandatory requirement before using an electronic boiler in an existing heating system in parallel with another boiler. The entire system is washed, cleaned of scale and salt deposits, which can subsequently change the conductivity of the coolant.

Galan boiler

Galan boiler connection diagram

The two main directions of the company are heating elements and electrode boilers. Moreover, the latter is preferred as a device with the best characteristics. The Galan line has options for a small apartment or house and for industrial facilities. There are three options in total:

• Hearth(3, 5, 6 kW);
• Geyser (9-15 kW);
• Vulcan (up to 50 kW and above).

The lines are shown in order of increasing power. For its boilers, the company provides a full range of automation, starting with protection systems that make their products safe in all aspects, and ending with programmers with a number of sensors and a large set of settings that can optimally control the boiler.

If necessary, boilers are combined in series to obtain more power. The modular system gives the advantage of small size and the possibility of more precise and smooth adjustments.

An extremely simple solution from the manufacturer is associated with the presence of aluminum radiators. Only structures made from primary aluminum are allowed and only if a special additive is used that can dampen the negative impact of the electrode boiler.

Only electrode heating boilers are produced under the ION brand. There is an important distinctive feature of the company. They do not claim that their boilers are 30-40% more economical than heating elements, taking into account that both operate with an efficiency close to 100%.

For ION boilers, the coolant requirements have been slightly changed. The best results are achieved with a conductivity of at least 3 kOhm/cm, which is achieved by a higher salt concentration in the solution. But in return, the manufacturer guarantees the durability of the electrode for up to 30 years, which is several times higher than the durability of the main element from Galan and several orders of magnitude higher than the durability of homemade steel electrodes.

There is no division of boilers into lines with characteristic names. The manufacturer claims to have boilers with a capacity from 2 kW to 36 kW. Devices from 2 to 12 kW can be connected to a single-phase 220V network, and boilers from 6 kW to 36 kW are made for three-phase 380V power.

Heating device "ION"

How it works and the choice of coolant for an electrode boiler

How does an electric boiler work for heating a private house? What coolant should you choose? Review of poplar boilers Galan and Ion.

Heating in a private home is not just a combination of several pipes and radiators. This is a complex system that requires certain additional elements to work properly. It is important to remember that heating is the key to comfortable living in most regions with a temperate and northern climate, because winter and autumn in these areas actually last at least 6 months. In order for the entire system to function properly during this time, it is important to take care of high-quality coolant for it - there are two main types of such substances. Each of them has its own characteristics. How to choose Here you will find answers to all questions.

Coolant for the heating system: water, antifreeze - which is better?

A little about substances that carry heat

Before we get acquainted with the types of coolants and find out their characteristics, let’s figure out what good and high-quality liquids of this type should be like? What is this anyway?

So, the coolant is a substance that is inside the heating system and is responsible for preserving heat and redistributing it in a residential (or non-residential) room from the heating boiler through pipes and radiator batteries. Typically, either water or antifreeze is used for this. Each of these substances has positive and negative aspects of use - unfortunately, an ideal coolant does not exist. That is why the decision about what is best to pour into the heating system should be made depending on certain factors: the conditions of use of the entire system, the quality of the heating equipment, other equipment, and so on.

Attention! The operation of any coolant is highly dependent on the boundaries of a certain temperature range - in cases that are not suitable for a specific substance, the coolant will simply refuse to work correctly, and the quality characteristics will change significantly.

But, despite the fact that ideal coolants do not exist, let’s still think: what would it be like if it existed?

In general, the substance that will retain and transfer heat through the heating system must have the following properties:

• high heat capacity;
• good thermal conductivity;
• low viscosity;
• the ability to transfer the maximum amount of thermal energy with minimal heat loss for a certain time;
• freezing only at very low temperatures;
• stability of properties during use;
• lack of ability to cause rust;
• low toxicity;
• high combustion temperature;
• lack of tendency to form a layer of scale;
• inertness towards various materials used in the heating system;
• low price;
• long service life.

Unfortunately, a coolant has not yet been invented that would fully meet all these requirements. However, it is still possible to make the right choice of this substance. But for this it is important to know what properties water and antifreeze have as coolants.

Water

Water is a unique and only liquid in nature that expands both when heated and when cooled. Its high density, equal to 917 kg/m 3, changes greatly with temperature changes. This property can do a disservice to the home owner - if it expands during freezing, the liquid can easily damage the heating system.

Water has a maximum heat capacity (1 kcal/(kg*deg)). This means that when a kilogram of this liquid is heated to a temperature of +90 degrees, and then cooled in a heating radiator to +70, as much as 20 kcal of thermal energy will enter this same radiator.

Water is perhaps the most accessible and cheapest type of coolant, which also has a high level of safety and is unlikely (under any conditions) to pose a serious threat to the health of the home owner and his family. And in the event of a leak of working fluid from the heating system, the deficiency can be easily compensated by pouring ordinary tap water.

Interestingly, water is not simply a combination of two hydrogen molecules with one oxygen molecule. In fact, it also contains other elements - metals, admixtures of chlorine and various salts. Unfortunately, because of this, water can cause various deposits to form inside the heating system and, over time, even lead to failure.

Flaws

The main disadvantages of water as a coolant:

• high corrosiveness;
• scale formation;
• the possibility of destruction of the heating system in just a couple of days due to accidental freezing of the liquid;
• Fluid replacement should be done annually.

The ability of water to form scale can be slightly reduced. This process is called softening. The easiest option is to simply boil water in a metal container without covering it with a lid. Some compounds that do not belong in the heating system will settle to the bottom and carbon dioxide will escape. Unfortunately, only some substances can be removed by boiling - for example, unstable calcium or magnesium bicarbonates.

There is also a chemical method for improving the composition of water, which turns soluble salts in the liquid into insoluble ones. It is carried out using slaked lime, sodium orthophosphate or soda ash. All these additives can cause precipitation, which can be removed by simply filtering the water.

Attention! You must work with sodium orthophosphate carefully - you must strictly adhere to the dosage of this substance.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze or a mixture of ordinary water, additives and a certain component (propylene glycol or ethylene glycol) can be used as a coolant in the heating system of a private house. This substance has a lower freezing threshold, which makes it perfectly resistant to harsh cold winters. At the same time, antifreeze, unlike water, does not expand, does not harden and does not damage pipes even during an accidental shutdown of the system and strong cooling of the room. The liquid becomes gel-like and is unable to spoil radiators, which have a much higher density. In this case, when heated, the substance returns to the liquid state while maintaining its original properties.

On a note! Antifreeze, due to its special chemical composition, lasts at least 5 years (water - only a year), and such a coolant does not cause scale or corrosion, since special additives are added to it. But it is worth remembering that these additives are not universal and are designed for certain types of alloys and metals. If you choose antifreeze incorrectly, it can damage some parts of the heating system.

In northern regions and areas with temperate climates, two types of antifreeze are used - with freezing temperature thresholds of -30 and -65 degrees. Moreover, the latter type can be easily converted into the first by simply diluting it with distilled water in a ratio of 1:2.

Before you buy, let's take an interest in the composition

Table. Types of antifreeze for heating systems.

Main substance	Antifreeze characteristics
	This is a cheaper and more common type of antifreeze. But at the same time, this liquid is quite toxic, so you need to work with it carefully, protecting the skin, eyes and respiratory organs. Also, ethylene glycol, when in contact with zinc, easily reacts with it, so the composition of the alloy from which the entire heating system is made plays an important role here. Ethylene glycol in just one season can destroy galvanizing, if any.
	A more expensive and safer type of antifreeze. A relative of technical propylene glycol - food grade - is used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry, as it is completely safe for human health and the environment. That is why propylene glycol antifreeze can be used in any, including double-circuit heating boilers - if the substance gets into the water, the residents of the house will not receive any harm. Also, this type of antifreeze does in some ways the same job as lubricant, so it has a beneficial effect on possible pumping systems. Moreover, the heat transfer of this substance is significantly higher than that of monoethylene glycol antifreeze.

Flaws

But antifreeze, no matter how wonderful they are, also has its drawbacks. The main one is high sensitivity to high temperatures and overheating. In this case, antifreeze decomposes, forming acids and precipitation. The latter can form carbon deposits when they get on the heating elements. And this carbon deposits greatly affect the quality of heat transfer and cause another overheat. The acids, in turn, begin to react with the alloy elements from which the heating system pipes are made. The result is corrosion.

Other disadvantages of antifreeze:

• high fluidity, therefore, better sealing of the heating system is necessary to avoid leaks;
• heat capacity is 15% lower than that of water;
• viscosity is twice as high as water;
• certain types of antifreeze are toxic and are used only in single-circuit heating boilers;
• the need to select a specific type of antifreeze for a specific alloy;
• ability to foam under special conditions;
• Antifreeze will have to be kept at home in case of an emergency leak in order to be able to add it to the system immediately.

Rules of application

Also, antifreeze, unlike water, is more “scrupulous” in relation to the rules of use - the possibility of its use significantly depends on compliance with them.

1. The pumps required to circulate the coolant must be very powerful, otherwise it will be difficult for antifreeze to move through the pipes. In some cases, it may be necessary to install an external supercharger.
2. Large diameter pipes should be used and radiators should also be large.
3. Air exhaust devices should not be automatic.
4. Gaskets and seals used in the system can only be made of dense rubber that is resistant to chemical compounds, or made of Teflon and paronite.
5. When turning on the boiler, the heating temperature should be increased gradually. In this case, the coolant temperature should not exceed +70 degrees.

Antifreeze should never be used in the following cases:

• if the heating system in the house is an open type system;
• if the heating system is galvanized;
• if the heating boiler is capable of heating antifreeze by more than +70 degrees;
• if oil paint was used as a sealant for connections in the system, linen winding;
• if ion boilers are used.

Making the right choice

How to make the right choice regarding the substance responsible for heat transfer and heating the house? To do this, it is worth analyzing the operating conditions of the heating system and how and what it is made of. Ordinary water can become the optimal coolant, for example, if the temperature in the heating circuit (even in extreme cold outside) in the house is not lower than +5 degrees. Otherwise, it is better to think about buying antifreeze. At the same time, when choosing antifreeze, they take into account its threshold temperature values, composition, shelf life, environmental friendliness and safety, as well as the possibility of interaction with elements of the heating system.

On a note! It is best to choose propylene glycol antifreeze. It is not dangerous to health, and in a number of characteristics it is better than others.

In general, it is worth choosing a coolant at the time when the design of the entire heating system is being developed. This will allow you to select the right equipment - it is not so easy to convert a water system for anti-freeze.

How to fill the system correctly?

So, the coolant has been selected and the heating system has been built. All that remains is to pour the substance inside the pipes and you can heat the house. How it's done?

Step 1. We connect one end of the hose to the lowest point of the heating system, which is intended for filling and draining coolant (check valve), while placing the other end in a special container of the hand pump. We fill this container with coolant.

Step 2. Open the tap that shuts off the drain in the heating system.

Step 3. Using a hand pump, which can be purchased at any plumbing store, we pump coolant into the pipe system. At the same time, we monitor the pressure inside them using a pressure gauge.

Step 4. Continuing to monitor the pressure readings on the pressure gauge, we pump the coolant into the system to 1.5. After this, turn off the tap and turn off the pump.

Advice! Before fully pumping the system, we must check the functionality of the check valve. To do this, after pumping a little coolant into the system, close the valve and leave it overnight, after which we check for leaks.

By the way, before pouring distilled water into the heating system, be sure to rinse the pipes with plain water. In this case, both a newly assembled system and one that has been operating for a long time are subjected to the procedure. Otherwise, various impurities may remain in the radiators, which will deteriorate the quality of the water.

Video - Filling coolant into the system

Which coolant is better - water or antifreeze - can only be determined by analyzing all of the above factors. For some, ordinary water will do, while others will be able to heat their home only with antifreeze. You should always soberly assess the capabilities of the equipment and its requirements - then there will certainly be no interruptions in heating in the house.

Coolant for the heating system: water, antifreeze - which is better?

The photo shows the consequences of freezing water in the battery

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If you choose the right coolant for the heating system of a country house , it will be possible to solve many practical issues at minimal cost. To avoid errors, you must carefully check current market offers. A comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of different liquids will be useful. You should also take into account the characteristics of the technological equipment and its operating conditions.

The liquid heating system will function efficiently and smoothly with the correct choice of coolant

All systems of this type use fluid heating. It functions as a “transmitter” of thermal energy to consumers. To simplify the analysis, it is necessary to determine the characteristics of a high-quality coolant that are important for consumers:

• High heat capacity required. This parameter characterizes how much energy 1 liter of liquid can transfer. The bigger it is, the better.
• The coolant comes into contact with the inner surface of the pipeline, radiators, boiler heat exchangers, seals and other parts of the system. It must be chemically neutral so as not to provoke reactions that destroy the corresponding materials.
• The presence of mechanical and biological impurities in it will clog the system. Calcium, magnesium and other salt compounds form a hard coating when heated. It will be difficult to remove. It is necessary to exclude the presence of these and other contaminants that could create an emergency situation.

• A good coolant should retain its useful characteristics over the entire temperature range during future operation.

• You should study its composition especially carefully if a double-circuit boiler is installed. In this case, mixing of technical and household liquids is possible. In any case, any harm to humans or domestic animals must be excluded.

Direct financial costs also matter. They are assessed taking into account the final cost of the liquid that will be poured into the system, as well as its service life without replacement. In some situations, the cost of new or additional equipment will have to be added to the total investment.

Types of coolants

The options listed below will be considered based on the criteria listed above. It should be noted right away that there is no “ideal recipe”. Each substance (mixture of ingredients) has advantages and disadvantages.

Water

This “classic” coolant for the heating system of a country house has the following positive characteristics:

• It has the highest heat capacity compared to other analogues. One liter of water when cooled by 10°C is capable of transmitting 11.63 W of energy. The efficiency of heating the air in the room will depend on the parameters of the radiators. But it must be emphasized that with the help of such a coolant, a properly configured system will work rationally.
• In addition to the low consumption of energy resources, we should add the harmlessness of water for residents, domestic plants, and animals.

Sometimes the cheapness of water is also mentioned. However, it is necessary to understand that preliminary preparation of the liquid is necessary for such intended use. Technical distillate can be purchased in the store. It is also acceptable to use a home filtration system using reverse osmosis technology. Adding special “softeners” is not recommended. These substances are themselves pollutants.

Water and the oxygen in it activate corrosion processes. To exclude them, special blocking chemical compounds, inhibitors, are added. To remove scale and other deposits in the ducts, surfactants are included in the composition. The result is a liquid with the required technical characteristics. But even it is not capable of maintaining its original fluid volume when the temperature drops below 0°C. It is this main drawback that is eliminated using the methods listed below.

Related article:

In a special publication, we will conduct a comparative analysis of the two most popular coolants and find out which is better and more reliable.

Ethylene glycol

Many manufacturers produce such coolants for the system with the addition of red pigments. The bright color warns future users that the composition contains a toxic substance. Ethylene glycol should not be released into the environment.

Antifreezes of this type, when heated above a certain threshold, actively release gas and decompose into simple chemical components. This process is irreversible. If you dilute concentrated antifreeze for heating with your own hands, you need to remember the level of 63-64%. With this volumetric concentration, ethylene glycol ensures liquid fluidity at the lowest temperature (-65°C). A further increase in the content of the active substance causes the reverse process. At 95%, the liquid freezes at -19°C.

Note! Compositions based on this chemical compound have low heat capacity.

Propylene glycol

Products based on this compound are not toxic. Their heat capacity is higher compared to ethylene glycol “anti-freeze”. An additional advantage is the ability of propylene glycol to eliminate microscopic defects inside pipes. This reduces the resistance to fluid movement and somewhat improves the energy parameters of the heating system.

Note! Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol react chemically with zinc and zinc-based compounds. They are not used in systems where such contact is possible.

The use of glycerin-based coolant: disadvantages and advantages

The use of formulations based on such an additive should be treated with caution. Glycerin itself is harmless. It does not enter into chemical reactions with zinc, is durable and has a very reasonable cost.

But these mixtures are denser compared to ethylene and propylene glycol. Their use accelerates wear. In some cases it is necessary to use more powerful power units. Glycerin coolants have the lowest heat capacity, so to obtain the desired result you will have to pump large volumes. At approximately +90°C to +92°C active foam forms and chemical decomposition occurs. The formed substances fall out in the form of solid and jelly-like precipitation.

How to choose a coolant for a country house heating system

Based on the knowledge gained, preliminary conclusions can be drawn about the value of individual options. It is imperative to take into account the peculiarities of the operating mode of the heating system and its technical characteristics:

• The property is used for year-round living. One of the adults is always in it, which provides good control of the temperature of the coolant in the heating system of a private house. A boiler using liquid or solid fuel is used. For this case, distilled or otherwise purified water is suitable.

• The same situation, but the system is equipped with an electric boiler. Network outages outside the city are not uncommon. The sluggishness of service organizations and the lack of responsible persons from whom losses can be recovered need no comment. To avoid major problems, it is necessary to use a non-freezing liquid. You can also install an autonomous electric generator, or change heating equipment.

• If the property is used sporadically in winter, water will not be suitable. When choosing antifreeze for your heating system, price will, of course, matter. But the main thing is to take into account the above characteristics of different liquids and ensure the safety of their use.

Sometimes manufacturers themselves officially set restrictions on the use of coolant. Thus, flow-through electric heaters operate with good efficiency only at a certain liquid conductivity.

To calculate the required amount of “anti-freeze”, you can use the summation of data from technical data sheets of individual elements of the system. Calculators on specialized websites of trading and service enterprises are also useful. The exact value is determined experimentally by draining the liquid into measuring containers.

Since when heated, non-freezing compounds increase in volume more than pure water, containers of appropriate size should be used.

The use of more viscous liquids containing aggressive chemical compounds forces significant changes to be made to the heating system. When considering a project, all important factors must be carefully assessed together to ensure a comfortable user experience.

Filling coolant with a pump (video)

The harsh climate of our country obliges every owner of a country house to think about how to stay warm during the cold season. Setting up an efficient and economical system is not an easy task. However, if you choose the right coolant for the heating system of a country house and take into account all the recommendations of experts, the result can exceed all expectations. Let's consider what a coolant is and what you need to pay attention to in the selection process first.

The coolant in the heating system is the liquid that transfers heat to the radiators from the source, that is, the boiler. Typically, water is used for this purpose, as well as special antifreezes (liquids that can not react even to very low temperatures and not freeze).

In order to buy a coolant for heating systems that will ideally suit the parameters of your home, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:

• safety. In a heating system, like any other, malfunctions and leaks may periodically occur. The safety of the coolant will be of great importance in this case, since the person fixing the breakdown will have to come into contact with the liquid. And for the owners there is no need for unnecessary risks;
• it is equally important that the coolant is safe for the heating system, since any failure of it entails significant financial costs;
• efficiency is another criterion that determines the coolant. Some fluids are better at transferring heat, and some are worse. And you need to pay attention to this during the selection process;
• The service life may vary, and it is advisable to choose a liquid that will last long enough.

If we talk about which liquid for heating systems is suitable according to these criteria, then water is undoubtedly the best option. Its heat capacity is quite sufficient, and it does not pose any threat to pipes or humans. But this solution has one serious drawback - it freezes easily.

Therefore, before you pour water into the heating system, you need to understand that if it freezes, it will expand and simply rupture the pipes and radiators. That is why the use of antifreeze for heating a home is considered mandatory. When exposed to low temperatures, the liquid loses its fluidity somewhat, but does not harm the equipment.

So you need to approach the choice of coolant with all responsibility. The use of ordinary water is allowed, but only if you are able to constantly monitor the operation of the system and monitor its performance. If we are talking about the arrangement of a country house, which is periodically left unattended, and the heating system may be turned off for some time, then adding antifreeze can be considered mandatory. In this case, it is better to buy propylene glycol coolant.

Helpful advice! When deciding how to fill the heating system, you should also pay attention to the risks of power outages. If the house is located in a region where such outages are the norm, then it is also necessary to use special antifreeze.

Which coolant is better to use in the heating system: features of using water

If we talk about water as a liquid used to transfer heat from a source to radiators, then this option can confidently be called ideal. Its heat capacity and fluidity are extremely high, so that heat can be delivered to the radiator in the required quantity without any problems.

Many people are interested in the question of what kind of water is best to pour into the heating system. In this case, the answer is simple - ordinary tap water is suitable for closed heating systems. Of course, its composition can hardly be called ideal, and one way or another, it contains salts, as well as a certain amount of mechanical impurities that can settle on the equipment. However, this process will happen only once, and given that ordinary water can circulate properly through the heating system for years and does not require replacement, the damage will be insignificant. Simply put, the amount of precipitation that appears in the system simply will not be able to somehow affect its operation.

You need to pay more attention to the choice of water for closed-type systems, since during the operation of the system, partial evaporation of the liquid occurs, and water must be periodically added. As a result of this, the concentration of salts and impurities will constantly increase, which, accordingly, will lead to the accumulation of more sediment on the internal surface of the equipment. Therefore, for systems that have an expansion tank, you need to use distilled or purified water.

Of course, constantly adding distilled water to the system is quite expensive, and it is not always available in the required volume. Therefore, filtered water can be used as an alternative.

Important! The most negative impact on the heating system is caused by hardness salts, as well as iron contained in water. All kinds of mechanical impurities are also not useful. Therefore, you should pay special attention to this during the cleaning process.

What to do before adding water to the heating system

You can prepare water for use yourself. This will take some time, but it will save you from having to spend money on buying distilled water. Here are some simple recommendations:

• First of all, the required amount of water needs to be collected in a container of suitable volume and allowed to stand. This will allow most of the iron to settle to the bottom;
• After the water has settled, it must be carefully poured into another container and boiled without covering it with a lid. Thus, magnesium and potassium salts are eliminated.

Water prepared using these simple tips can already be considered sufficiently prepared for use. Of course, carrying out such procedures every time is quite tedious, so you can add already distilled or filtered water, but as an initial fill, this option is excellent.

What types of antifreeze are there, which one is better to choose, features of their use

When talking about the use of antifreeze for heating systems, you need to understand what it is and which antifreeze to choose. These are aqueous solutions of polyhydric alcohols, although not so long ago a new type of antifreeze appeared, for which glycerin was used as a base. In order to figure out which option is best to choose, let’s take a closer look at the characteristics and properties of each of them.

Types of antifreeze for the heating system of a country house

Today, the production of antifreeze is based on the use of two substances: propylene glycol and ethylene glycol. The first option is more expensive, but it is completely safe, even if taken internally. But it has another serious drawback - it can lose fluidity at low temperatures, to which ethylene glycol would not react.

Important! Ethylene glycol is extremely toxic and can cause serious poisoning even with its vapors, not to mention direct contact.

It is interesting that, despite all the dangers of using ethylene glycol, it is preferred much more often, which is most likely due to its lower cost.

Antifreezes made on the basis of ethylene glycol are also distinguished by the fact that they are chemically active, have increased fluidity and are capable of foaming. And if foaming can still be combated with the help of special additives, the increased level of fluidity cannot be adjusted. And given that the substance is also toxic, this significantly increases the risks of using such antifreeze.

To summarize, we can say that if it is possible to use propylene glycol for the heating system, then it should be used. Therefore, ethylene glycol will definitely leak wherever possible. And its toxic fumes can cause serious poisoning and further health problems.

Important! If propylene glycol-based coolant is completely safe, then when working with ethylene glycol, you must use personal protective equipment: a respirator, safety glasses and clothing that can be thrown away. This is necessary because if it gets on the fabric, the substance remains toxic and cannot be completely removed from the surface.

Which coolant for heating systems to buy: the most popular brands on the market

Before you buy a coolant, you need to familiarize yourself with the offers available on the market and compare their characteristics. Let's look at a few of the most popular options and their properties.

Popular coolants and their properties:

Name	Active substance	Operating/crystallization/decomposition temperature, °C	Service life, years	Can it be diluted with water?	Price, rub./10 kg
Coolant Dixis 65	monoethyleglycol	65-95/-66/111	10	Yes	850
Coolant Warm House Eco	propylene glycol	30-106/-30/170	5	Yes	1050
Coolant Thermagent Eco 30	ethylene glycol	20-90/30/170	10	No	650
Coolant Teplokom	glycerol	30-105/-/-	8	No	780
Coolant PRIMOCLIMA ANTIFROST	propylene glycol	30-106/-30/120	5	Yes	762

Helpful advice! Another extremely popular option is the coolant Teply Dom 65. This option can be considered universal, since its characteristics and level of safety fully meet all requirements.

Another important drawback of coolants made on the basis of ethylene glycol is that they react extremely poorly to overheating, which, moreover, occurs at fairly low temperatures. That is, already at +70°C a huge amount of sediment appears, which immediately settles on the surface of the heating devices. Such deposits negatively affect heat transfer, which again leads to overheating. It is for this reason that antifreeze is never used for solid fuel boilers.

Important! Ethylene glycol-based coolant can have a destructive effect on pipes, especially if they are galvanized. Therefore, when purchasing such a substance, it is worth thinking about the safety of the system elements.

As for propylene glycol, its chemical composition is completely neutral, and therefore coolants made on its basis react little with other substances. Overheating occurs under the influence of significantly higher temperatures, and its consequences are not so unpleasant.

Related article:

Selecting a boiler based on power and type of fuel. Advantages and disadvantages of water heating from a wood-burning stove. Features of solid fuel, gas, electric units: description and prices.

Glycerin-based antifreeze appeared only at the end of the last century. In terms of characteristics, it is something between the first two options. It does not pose any danger to human health, but as regards its effect on gaskets, some difficulties arise here. Glycerin coolants react poorly to overheating.

Filling the heating system with antifreeze: features of use

It is worth thinking about what kind of coolant will be used even at the system design stage. This is due to the fact that anti-freeze heating agents have a low heat capacity. If the system was originally intended for water, then pouring antifreeze into it, you may encounter the following problems:

• the power received will not be enough and, as a result, the house will be cold. This is explained by the same low thermal conductivity. This problem can be solved by installing a circulation pump of greater power, and thereby increasing the speed of coolant movement through the system. Well, if you act according to all the rules, then it would be nice to increase the number of sections in the radiators;
• Before pouring coolant into a closed heating system, you need to make sure that the volume of the expansion tank is sufficient. This is due to the fact that water and antifreeze expand differently, and while a certain volume may be sufficient for water, it is not for antifreeze. As a simple solution to the problem, you can simply install additional capacity;

• Before using antifreeze based on ethylene glycol or glycerin, you need to ensure that you have the appropriate gaskets. The thing is that chemically active substances will easily destroy ordinary rubber, which will lead to leaks. Therefore, before adding antifreeze, all gaskets must be replaced with Teflon or paronite ones.

Thus, once again we have to make sure that the best coolant is water. It costs several times less, and all its characteristics meet the requirements. But in cases where it is impossible to use ordinary water, antifreeze still helps out.

Important! Under no circumstances should you try to pour car antifreeze into the heating system. For this purpose, only special heating fluids can be used.

As for the choice, the use of propylene glycol as a coolant is many times preferable. And for greater convenience, dyes are added to antifreezes, which allow customers to more easily distinguish the compositions. Ethylene ones are usually painted red or pink, and propylene ones are green. If the antifreeze is blue in color, it means it is made on the basis of glycerin. During use, the dye may fade or disappear completely under the influence of temperature, but this will not affect the quality of the coolant itself.

Do-it-yourself filling of the heating system with coolant: rules and recommendations

The question of how to pour antifreeze into an open-type heating system does not arise so often. This can be done as simply as possible using an expansion tank. So the coolant needs to be poured into the tank, and under the influence of gravity, it will spread throughout the entire system. In this case, it is important that during the process of filling the coolant, all air vents are open.

It is somewhat more difficult to work with closed systems. Various filling methods are used for them. So, you can fill the coolant by gravity, without using any equipment. Sometimes a small submersible deposit is used for this, or one specially designed for this purpose, with the help of which a pressure test of the system is designed. Let's consider each option, its advantages, disadvantages and features:

1. Filling by gravity. On the one hand, this is a simple method, since it does not require the purchase and use of any special equipment. But at the same time, this process will take a lot of time, since it will take quite a long time to “squeeze” the air out of the system. And the required pressure will be built up over a long period. First of all, you need to find the highest point of the system and remove the gas vent there. During the filling process, the lowest point at which the coolant drain valve is located must be open. As soon as it leaks, it means the system is full.
2. Filling using a submersible pump involves using a low-power device such as the Malysh. It must be connected to the lowest point of the system (but not to the drain point). The liquid is poured into a container and one end of the pump is lowered into it. It is important that the pump does not “swallow” air during operation.
3. Filling using a pressure testing pump is carried out practically according to the same scheme as in the previous case. It’s just that here a special manual pump is used, which allows you to pump liquid into the system.

Helpful advice! It is not necessary to purchase a pump for crimping. It is quite possible to rent it from a company specializing in this, which usually also sells equipment for heating and plumbing.

Rules for commercial metering of thermal energy of a coolant: what is it?

Today, almost everything related to individual construction and arrangement of residential buildings is regulated by law. This case is no exception, since there are special rules for accounting for thermal energy and coolant, which are formulated in the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of November 18, 2013.

In general, the methodology for commercial metering of the thermal energy of a coolant is an interesting question, although quite complex for the average user. But if you want to understand how certain calculations are made and what the standards used in the future are made of, you can read the documentation on this topic.

Important! A formula is used as the basis for calculations. The coolant flow is calculated based on what natural heat losses will be in a particular room, and what the temperature of the radiators should be in order to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room.

To summarize, it is worth noting that you can buy coolant for the heating system of a country house based on various criteria and factors. For many, the deciding factor is the price of the heating fluid, while others pay more attention to the issue of safety and efficiency. In any case, before purchasing you should weigh all the arguments in favor of a particular decision.

Coolant temperature graph: requirements and standards

For the coolant, the temperature standard in the heating system is indicated based on the indicators obtained when the liquid has already completed a full circle and returns to the boiler. According to standards, the average daily room temperature should not be less than +8°C for three days.

In addition, in addition to the standards that have been provided, the minimum heating in the boiler must also be taken into account. It is very important that the water temperature does not fall below the dew point. Usually this indicator fluctuates between 60-70°C, although some deviations are possible due to the characteristics of the fuel used, as well as the unit itself. If for any reason this rule is violated, condensation will result, which will negatively affect the service life of the device.

Interesting! The temperature schedule for supplying coolant to the heating system stipulates that in houses where people live, the air temperature should not fall below 20°C. For industrial buildings, this figure is slightly lower – 16°C.

In addition, in the process of heating the coolant, such a factor as the air temperature outside the window must be taken into account. That is, if it is very cold outside and the temperature has dropped below -20°C, then the coolant should be heated more strongly.

At the same time, the temperature schedule of the coolant, the limits of which are defined as 30-90 ° C, should not be violated, as this can lead to the paint coatings of the equipment decomposing. And sanitary standards prohibit exceeding these indicators.

Thus, when choosing a coolant for electrode heating boilers and other systems, it is necessary to take into account many factors. Of course, price is an important criterion, and for many it is the determining factor, but do not forget about safety. If possible, it is better not to save money and give preference to the best coolants, which are also characterized by high efficiency.

The heating system is constantly exposed to various threats in the form of destructive processes during its operation. This can be corrosion, scale formation, foaming and a number of other negative aspects. Additives for the heating system have been developed specifically to combat such processes. Often they are already included in the coolant, however, if water is used as the coolant, this product is used.

Like almost any household chemical product, such additives are not completely environmentally friendly and safe. So, they do not pose a particular threat to the environment, but they can harm human health. Therefore, this product should be kept away from children, in a shaded place and in an airtight container. When working with it, we must not forget about safety precautions - rubber gloves and safety glasses. If the liquid gets on an open area of ​​skin, the affected area should be immediately rinsed with warm water.

This product works great in a wide variety of heating systems. In addition to heating systems, it also performs well in ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as refrigeration units. Such additives are effective in any heating system, made of any metal. At the same time, they treat rubber and plastic parts with care, without destroying them. The product effectively removes rust, oxidation, and organic deposits. In general, all those processes that usually occur in an aquatic environment can be easily neutralized by these additives.

The principle of operation of this product is quite simple. It is completely ready for use; it does not need to be mixed with water to the desired consistency. Additives must be poured into the heating system based on a ratio of 3:100. It is in this volume that additives are produced - this is more than enough for the average heating system of an ordinary residential building. This product works great both in systems with circulation pumps and in converter-type systems.

The online store "Teplopositel.com" is an excellent solution for any heating systems. From us you can purchase coolants, as well as related products. A wide range and reasonable prices are why our customers love us so much. And the high quality of our products has long been highly appreciated by users. For any questions regarding our products, please contact us. Contact information is listed on the website.

Additive designed to be added to a heating system.

The liquid is intended for preventing the formation of corrosion and scale in heating systems, air conditioning, refrigeration units.

Protects metals from corrosion, not aggressive to rubber and plastic.

Removes combined salt and mud deposits, scale, rust, and prevents oxidation and salt deposition in the working system. An effective solution in cases where ordinary or distilled water is poured into the system as a coolant. This additive neutralizes all the formation of scale and rust, which usually occurs in an aquatic environment.

Can be used both in systems with circulation pumps and converter type.
Add the additive to the working heating system in a ratio of 3 liters of additive per 100 liters of heating system.