Reverting glycol back to water only system

TBZ

We need a new boiler and our current system has some type of antifreeze in it. Our installer insists we need to keep the glycol in the system and size the new components appropriately. Our house is occupied year round and has reliable power so I don't think we need the freeze protection.

Any problems with just flushing the antifreeze (and disposing of properly) and going to straight water with the new boiler. Don't know if it makes any difference but we have baseboard radiators only.

THANKS!

[Deleted User]

Get ready!

Never go on vacation. Buy a standby generator, and back-up fuel supply. Pray every night that all those things that could happen to cause your house to freeze up never happen, and you should be just fine.... Bottom line, it only takes once to convince you that what you saved on anti-freeze is never going to pay what it cost to tear out all those walls and replace that pipe that broke

hr

If all parties

are comfortable with the risk of freeze up, sure. Drain and recycle the fluid, use a good hydronic cleaner to remove any residue and sludge. Refill the system with a good quality water and a hit of hydronic conditioner. Check and buffer the ph if needed, label the system as to the type of "stuff" you put in and let it go.

If connected to a fill system on the domestic water use a code approved backflow preventor. A LWC would be excellent, and cheap insurance while you're at it.

Most residential systems don't have glycol if the home is lived in. Freeze alarms could be added for a neighbor, or alarm company, to monitor if the homeowners leave for extended periods in freezing weather. Remember the potable water lines would also freeze They generally make more of a mess than the hydronic freeze ups when they thaw unattended!

hot rod

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"