Anti-Freeze for snowmelt system

Tom_39

Can someone tell me what's best to use in a hot water snow melt system (PEX) for antifreeze (glycol or any others)? And what's the formula for proper ratio of anti-freeze to water (IS it same as cars)? What's the best way to set up the system so I can add anti freeze after inital system charge? The boiler is a weil-mcclain, if that matters. Any help in this matter would be appreciated.

Al Letellier

antifreeze for snowmelt

I've never done one myself, but the same rules apply. Use a product that is compatable with your choice of PEX. Usually snow melt is constant circulation so freezing is not a big issue when the the system is operating. Set your mix for freeze protection to the maximum low temp in your area to protect it during extended power failure.
Set up your piping with isolation valves on the system side of your heat exchanger and taps to hook up your pump to inject the antifreeze. Make sure you size the xtank properly. The higher the concentration of anti-freeze, the more dense the solution is, the more it will expand when heated and the harder it will be to move it in the system.
Proper planning and sizing will eliminate all these problems ahead of time.
I'm building a new garage and intend to heat the slab and son-melt the drive. It's the first thing we designed and it's all planned out...just waiting for the time to get it cone. Too busy doing it for everyone else!!!
Good luck

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