Glycol

Rudy

I have a new Buderus/Warmboard system. I would like to install glycol. Can I purchase off the shelf antifreeze?
Can you provide advice on charging the system? I understand that I need to pump the glycol into the system. Do I simply bleed off the water?

Thanks

[Deleted User]

thats what i do,,

i pump it from one end and draw water from the other end..(the hose bibbs for each end of the system are really next to each other). must be hydronic antifreeze tho, not car stuff..and you need a refractometer to check the temp rating of the system..

Dan Peel

glycol addition

I generally blow the lines clear with air then start with premixed propylene glycol. By mixing outboard of the system you have a far better chance of controlling the results. Most of my glycol systems are set up at 40%. Dan

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kevin coppinger_4

what is the ...

reason for adding anti-freeze to the system? generally speaking I try not to add any to the system.The water chemistry has to be just right and the long term damage to components makes it a "only if you have to" proposition. kpc

hr

Use glycol

only when necessary. It' expensive, messy, more leak prone, and needs maintenance.

Of course snowmelt and other outside applications would dictate it's use.

A very important step, if you go with glycol, is to flush and clean the system first. Use a hydronic system cleaner to get all the oil flux, grease, etc cleaned from the boiler and piping.

Failure to do this will compromise the glycol from day one.

Generally the more expensive, name brands, have better inhibitor packages blended in.

Also read the Label. some price point brands are already blended 50% in the bucket! 35-40% is generally adequate. Read up on slush point and burst point ratings.

Use good quality blend water also. The manufacture will guide you, and some will package premixed.

For the money Dowfrost HD (heavy duty) propolyene has been a good product, for me, with excellent support.

hot rod

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Mark Eatherton1

Glycol article...

from the Contractor Magazine article I wrote a few years back.

http://www.contractormag.com/articles/column.cfm?columnid=113

ME

Radiant Wizard

Modifications to System

What nobody has touched upon is the efficiency loss you will have by adding antifreeze. You can count on having to raise that water temp for that floor and a couple of other things must be done.

1. The expansion tank should be sized to allow about 4% greater expansion than for plain water in the same temperature range.

2. The pump head should be increased by 10% over the minimum requirements for those of plain water.

3. A strainer should be installed in the return line.

I would put that radiant on constant circulation while modulating. No need for the antifreeze.