For the efficient and long-term operation of the heating system, it is important to use high-quality equipment and comply with all operating rules. The heating medium for heating also plays an important role in this matter, it must be of excellent quality.
Requirements for the coolant for heating a private house
A heating medium is a substance that is used to transport heat to the radiators from the heating boiler. There are several varieties, each of which has its own individual characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. In most cases, water is used, but to extend the service life, other coolants are often used for the heating system of a country house.
Non-freezing liquid for heating radiators must meet the following requirements:
- Heat capacity. For a certain amount of time, the maximum amount of heat should be transported through the pipes with minimum losses.
- The latitude of the temperature regime from the boiling point to the freezing point. Between the starting and ending points, the heating fluid must not lose its technical characteristics.
- Safety for human and animal health. Non-freezing for heating a house should do as little harm as possible.
- Inertia. Regardless of the material, the liquid should not provoke the development of corrosive processes.
- Affordable and cost effective. If an expensive coolant is used, it must be durable.
- Stability of chemical and physical composition. When exposed to high temperatures, the coolant for the heating system for the house should not lose its chemical properties - density, viscosity, it is important that the substance does not decompose.
To purchase the most suitable coolant, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of fluids and their characteristics.
Types of coolants
In most cases, water or antifreeze liquid is used for heating systems. In the first case, it is important to use exclusively completely purified water - distilled. The composition of running water contains a high concentration of various impurities, which negatively affect the performance of the system, reducing its operational life.
In order to calculate the maximum temperature regime of the circulating substance in the heating system, it is important to know the characteristics of the coolant, as well as the existing restrictions on the operation of batteries and pipes. The segments of the heating system should not be affected by thermal exposure.
Distilled water has the following properties:
- The boiling point reaches 100 degrees Celsius. It is important to consider that as the pressure rises, the boiling point also increases. For example, if the pressure is 2.75 atmospheres, the boiling point is already +130 degrees.
- The optimal temperature regime of the coolant in the system reaches +75 degrees. But when the weather conditions outside the window change, this indicator begins to change. For example, the optimum temperature in steam systems is +120 degrees.
Antifreeze deserves special attention as a coolant.
Non-freezing liquid for heating has the following characteristics:
- It has a low freezing point - in the range of -30-60 degrees.
- A large amount of anti-freeze contains a substance hazardous to health - ethylene glycol. Well-known manufacturers use a more expensive but safer analogue - propylene glycol.
The main advantage of the substance in comparison with distilled water is its high resistance to low temperatures.
To understand which substance is preferable in a particular case, it is necessary to analyze two liquids.
- Distilled water is safe for health, and antifreeze is quite toxic.
- The service life of water is not limited. Antifreeze can be used for up to five years.
- When overheated, water does not lose its properties, and antifreeze precipitates when foaming. As a result, carbon deposits accumulate on the inner surface of pipes and radiators. After several years, this will have an extremely negative effect on the performance of the entire heating system.
- Different cost. The price of an antifreeze system is 30-40% more expensive.
- Antifreeze, unlike water, is not compatible with all pipes.
For electrode boilers, special non-freezing liquids are used. The composition of such antifreeze contains special components that provide the necessary electrical resistance and electrical conductivity, ionization.
Selection recommendations
If living conditions make it possible to guarantee the constant maintenance of a positive temperature regime, it is better to use distilled water, ideally containing surfactants and appropriate inhibitor additives. If the financial possibilities do not allow the use of distilled water, it is necessary to take measures aimed at softening ordinary tap water.
If homeowners prefer to use antifreeze, it is important to exclude conditions under which it is prohibited to use anti-freeze:
- Open type of heating system. Inevitable evaporation of the liquid occurs, which will lead to a change in the chemical composition and performance characteristics. In addition, the antifreeze contains components, the release of which can adversely affect the health of households.
- The heating system includes pipes, valves and other parts with a galvanized surface.
- When installing the system, seals made of linen winding with oil paint are used. Glycolic base in this case is short-lived and quickly “eats up” the paint.
- The boiler is not equipped with a sensor that displays the temperature mode. Almost all types of antifreeze, when heated above 70 degrees, begin to decompose and precipitate.
To use antifreeze, it is important to follow several specific rules:
- When carrying out calculations, it must be taken into account that a more powerful circulation pump and a larger expansion tank are needed. As a rule, the volume of such reservoirs is several times larger than that using water.
- Radiators and pipes should also have more impressive dimensions - internal volume and diameter.
- Automatic air vents are not designed to work with non-freezing liquids. To remove accumulated gases, you need a Mayevsky crane, manual valves.
- When installing radiators, it is imperative to sort out and install gaskets made of resistant material - Teflon or paronite.
- In threaded connections, it is preferable to use linseed tow with an additional coating with a special sealing paste.
If the house is located in places with favorable climatic conditions, where abnormally low temperatures are rarely observed, it is better to give preference to distilled water.If there is a possibility of freezing the system, which will cause great trouble and expense, it is better to use an anti-freeze solution - an antifreeze solution.
If you have any difficulties with the choice before buying, you can consult with a consultant in a specialized store, and also make sure that you have all the documentation confirming the proper quality of the goods.
